Laura asked: "You were right, it's a 1914 reproducer (but the reproducer has been replaced with a Piano Disc system.) The owner says the finish is olive wood(?) This is the same owner that has the bar-less Broadwood grand. I'm used to tuning pianos of this vintage at A435. I didn't think the frames were up to the resultant tension when tuned around A440. The owner would like them tuned to A440 for the Piano Disc system background music will be in tune. He's installed the PD system on the Broadwood grand I mentioned and 2 Broadwood cottage uprights (yes, David, with overdampers) and I've resisted tuning all these instruments at anything more than A435. Am I wrong? Is there no danger?" Laura, No more than any other piano of that vintage. I tune all pianos at 440cps, unless there is something that tells me not to. Those things are: evidence of many broken strings; separated pinblock; backposts dislodged; cracked plate; case malformation, ("cheek lift"); split pinblock areas.....and I'm sure you could come up with a few more tell tales.<G> I would quote Del Fandrich in this regard: "Most plates and piano structures are over engineered." Per the Barless Broadwood, I think the pitch, at the time those were made, was 443cps or some other rediculous number. It was noted in the book "By Appointment". (which I read several years ago and have forgotten most of the details now.<G>). In other words , Go For It! (just like ya did when you thanked me for a "vote".<G> Best, Joe Joe Garrett, R.P.T. Captain of the Tool Police Squares R I
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC