<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1505" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hmmmm? Most of the advice, I've been = reading, regarding how to approach a square grand tuning, is completely B.S., IMO!!!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Remove the damned lid and place it = out of the way! There's a trick to doing this w/o bugging up your = back.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. When a square grand has oblong pins, = there are two systems of tuning hammer/tips that can be used. a. Use a "Y" tip = that has oblong tips at right angles to each other. b. Use a standard oblong tip = that has "converter" attached, so that you can use your standard tuning = hammer/tip combination. "b" is a bit trickier, but is doable</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Do NOT take the dampers off! Remove = only the damper upstop rail. Trying to tune any piano with all of the strings = vibrating is simply an exercise in futility.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4. Use a standard Tip and Standard = tuning hammer. DO NOT EXTENDED the damned thing! If you do, your accuracy will suffer = greatly and add to your frustration. Note: If you are not, at least, 5' 8"....OR = over 6'2"...Do NOT do squares! (Unless you have a STRONG back and a weak = mind. In which case, you should be a MOVER, not a Tuner!<G>)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4. You can "Whomp" the key(s) just as = hard as you would with a modern piano. The only difference is that you can not do a = "double strike" w/o taking your finger completely off of the key. = (period!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>5. DO NOT ATTEMPT to improve the = damping!!!!!! It's designed to have "over-ring" and anything you do to get rid of that is = another exercise in futility. (this is the one area that most toooners screw up = a Square Grand most! grrrrr!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>6. If you have to remove the action, = USE THE HANDLE!!!! Never grab the ends to pull the action!!! (Unless you like = fixing broken hammers/shanks/butts!!!<G></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>7. You MUST have lost motion, just like = in spinets!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>8. If the hammers seem loose, in their = pinning, DO NOT REPIN, unless the bushing is totally trash. Simply adjust the screw, = on the flange to the proper amount of friction. (Two bounces on the rest rail, = is about right. Lift the hammer to the strike point and let fall. The hammer = should bounce twice.<G>)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>9. When reinserting the action, play = every note to allow the damper lift wires to settle back on the lift felt/leather. = ALWAYS DO THIS!!!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>10. DO charge double your regular = tuning rate</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>11. Do take numerous breaks and do some = "stretching/flexing exercises". (I've had a bad back, most of my life = and I don't have any problems with my back because of tuning a Square Grand. (Period)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope this helps those who are nice = enough to attempt tuning these beasties. "Even People 'Who Have Square Grands = Deserve Good Service". (A quote from one of PTG's greats: Emil Fries. I have taken = that sage advice and used it for over thirty years!<G>)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For the rest of you NaySayers I say = phutzzzzz and anyone can tune a modern piano....it takes an advanced tuner to do a = Square Grand!<G> phutzzzzzz!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<BR>Captain, Tool Police<BR>Squares R I</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>