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<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Joe
--</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>What is the
adapter to the oblong tip to which you refer?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>I'm going to
print this one out. Your tips are just what I was looking for. Especially the
one about time. Fortunately I AM in good shape, and fairly tall, so I'll have
the reach. But I'm beginning to believe that that sore back at the end of the
day is something that we tuners just have to get used to. Especially if we're
doing a lot of uprights.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Are the jack
cords that operate the jack springs similar to the ones we see in modern
day pianos? In other words, just replace the broken ones, (or the set if
possible or warranted), like I would do normally in a modern
piano?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>By offset
screwdriver do you mean one that works at a right angle? I have a small ratchet
style screwdriver for tight places and odd angles. Works just like a socket
set.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Thanks for
the reply. This helps a lot.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>-- Geoff
Sykes</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>-- Assoc. Los
Angeles</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=428045703-28082006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Joseph Garrett<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, August 27, 2006 6:19
PM<BR><B>To:</B> pianotech<BR><B>Subject:</B> * Re; Square Grand
Questions<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<P>
<DIV>Geoff asked: "<FONT size=+0>rGeetings all --</FONT>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>In my naivet? as an Associate member I still look forward
to the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>opportunities of working on pretty much anything that comes
my way. Well, at</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>least once, just for the experience. So, I just followed up
on a referral to</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>a woman who has an old Weber rosewood square grand, sn:
18831, made in 1880.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>The piano has been in her family since it was purchased
new, and is</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>apparently in reasonable condition. Well, for a
square.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>The last time it was serviced was about five years ago and
whoever did it</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>has disappeared. She says that there are a couple of notes
that don't play,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>or don't play well, and that the low bass and high treble
are way out of</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>tune. She also says that the previous tech, in an attempt
to bring it up "to</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>pitch" had raised the pitch from 392 to 415 but said that
it should not be</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>raised any further. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>Today's questions:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>: Do I need a special tip for my hammer to go on the tuning
pins? I have</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>stars, (of course), and an oblong.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>: What pitch should it really be tuned to? (She doesn't
care as long as it</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>sounds in tune.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>: If it won't hold pitch is CA an option?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>: What should I watch out for? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>: Also, any tips-n-tricks that can be offered, (besides
running away), will</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>be appreciated.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>No appointment has been made yet as she going out of town.
This gives me</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>time to research this challenge and arrive, (hopefully),
prepared. She knows</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>the piano has problems, and that parts and repair are going
to be a major</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>deal. She has agreed that all work, both repair and tuning
will be hourly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>She's not looking for miracles. She really just wants to
get it to perform</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>well enough to get her though Thanksgiving and
Christmas."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>-- Geoff,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>There are several posts, (from me), in the archives,
regarding Square Grands.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Judging from the age of the piano and the Manufacturer, I
would wager it has standard tuning pins. (do take your oblong tip
w/adapter!<G> Just in case.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>The pitch at the time of that piano's manufacturer was
probably 435cps. Weber's were noted for using very high grade wire during that
period. I wouldn't be afraid to try to tune it at 440cps. (unless I see a lot
of evidence of replaced/spliced strings, etc.) The piano will stay better in
tune if it is at least up to it's designed pitch.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>If the tuning pins are loose, first check to see if the
piano has Tapered tuning pins. If it does, a LIGHT tap will solve the problem
pins. However, if it has standard type tuning pins, CA is most certainly a
viable, as long as you don't get too carried away. Less is better in most
cases.<G></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Take numerous breaks. Book out the entire day on a first
time Square Grand appointment. You'll probably need it..<G></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Take the lid off before tuning, etc.. Take the music rack
off first! Support your body against the case while tuning to help support
your back. Hopefully you are in good physical condition. If not, then put off
the appointment for 3-6 months and get in shape.<G> (especially abs,
which help to support your back.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>As for the notes that don't work or don't work very well:
probably the jack cords that operate the jack springs. Also, insufficient lost
motion or too much. Think spinet lost motion in this case. You'll need an
off-set screwdriver for the "back" capstan screws!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Hope that helps.. If you need more info.....Call
Me.<G> (my fingers are getting tired.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Regards,</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Joseph Garrett, R.P.T.</DIV>
<DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV>
<DIV>Squares R I</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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