[pianotech] tuned my first "bird_cage" piano

[tnrwim at aol.com]

Joe & Bob

Yes, definitely, a strip mute is the best way to tune a bird cage, (I'm sorry, overdamper). But Duaine didn't have one, and even said he was sorry that he didn't. 

So, Bob and Joe. How would you tune this piano without a strip mute?

Wim

 



-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Fri, Jan 6, 2012 10:25 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] tuned my first "bird_cage" piano


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Wim and Duaine said: "Duaine

hy did you take out the dampers? I is difficult, but the easiest way,
sing a SAT and without a strip mute, is to put a rubber mute through the
ction to dampen one of the strings for each note. 

im






----Original Message-----
rom: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net>
o: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
ent: Fri, Jan 6, 2012 8:22 pm
ubject: [pianotech] Tuned my first "bird-cage" piano


uned my first "bird-cage" piano - a Chappell & Co.
t first, I thought I would try it without taking out the dampers. Quickly
ound 
at the dampers had to go. THAT was 
ite a challenge tuning with the whole piano zinging. Quickly figured out
hat 
e quieter I played each note the less 
ng you would get. Dang I wish I had a strip mute."

uaine and Wim,
ikes! Both of you are Wrong! I've been servicing Overdamper, (not
ird-cage), pianos for most of my career. I learned by trial and error and
alking to a few British Techs. The proper way to approach these pianos is:
. Take the action out. 2. Strip mute the entire piano, under the damper
ine. 3. Get a Papps Stick Mute!!! I can't stress this one enough! 4. Set
he temperament Tune down to A0 pull mutestrip out up to A3 & tune unisons
p to A3. 5. Check temperament & Tune up to top. 6. pull mute strip out of
very other one. Tune down to A3. 6. Pull the rest of the strips out. Tune
own to A3. (BTW, yes you have to pull the action out several times, while
oing this. It's easy to do and quityourwhining.<G)
f the piano was fairly close to pitch before you started,...you're done.
f it was a pitch raise...Do it all over again!<G> A hint: These pianos
eally come into their own if you use a Victorian Temperament. AND,...take
our time. Schedule extra time so's ya can. I charge more for tuning these,
or good reason...it takes more time. Of course if the piano is not
tructurally up to snuff, like any other one, it could be " not tuneable".
eep in mind that most of these on "this side of the pond" are of a lesser
eing because the Brits sent us, (via Antique Dealers), all their crappy
nes.<G> That's it in a large nut shell.
oe

oe Garrett, R.P.T.
aptain of the Tool Police
quares R I

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