[pianotech] Knabe

[William Monroe]

Laura,

Really, there is no danger.  Tune at A=440.

When you see a rebuilt 1904 Steinway, do you tune that at A=435?  Pianos
made since well before 1900 are quite capable of being tuned at A=440.  Be
not afraid.

William R. Monroe



On Thu, Nov 22, 2012 at 12:23 PM, Laura Olsen <ajoyfulsound at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hey, Joe
> You are a hoot! I'll do that next time. Maybe get a waiver.
> Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!
>
> Laura
>
> On Nov 22, 2012, at 12:08 PM, "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>
> > 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
> >
>
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