<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>HTML Message</TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"> Two-strip muting is easy enough on grands (which I only strip for moderate pitch correction passes and aural temperament setting) but is not practical for most uprights IMH?O.   I've also never had much luck with the "pulling every other loop" trick--seems to take too long and tends to pull out the wrong loops too often. Maybe it's my lack of good technique or impatience ... just not worth it to me. Or it could be just good old-fashioned, ham-handed clutsiness.   BTW I never strip upright trebles above the strut where there are still dampers--split rubber mute being the weapon of choice, here.  And if anyone is wondering about my use of the phrase "moderate pitch correction," I mean 20 cents (or so) or less. For the really nasty ones, I leave all strings open on that first pass or, on trebles, I might put in a stick mute, raise the two open strings of adjacent notes, then move the mute and raise the one remaining string in each (snicker) 'unison'. Alan Barnard Salem, MO Joshua 24:15 Original message From: "David Ilvedson" To: pianotech@ptg.org Received: 01/03/2007 9:18:00 PM Subject: Re: strip muting was Bridle Straps/time/Pitchraising I learned a great way to strip mute from a Ron Berry class years ago.   He recommended inserting the strip mute every other unison, then another strip mute in between the other strip mute....like   1st strip mute=V, 2nd strip mute=v  v...V...v...V...v...V...v...V...v...V...v Then when tuning the unisons you just pull out one strip out and tune the exposed outside strings.   Then pull the other strip out and finish the unisons.   I haven't done this in years though...unisons as I go...   David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Original message From: "Lance Lafargue" To: "Pianotech List" Received: 1/3/2007 12:18:47 PM Subject: Re: strip muting was Bridle Straps/time/Pitchraising Dan's muting technique is really used primarily for the final round and saves lots of time.  The pitchraise round is straight ahead unisons as you go pulling the strip as I go.  I keep the strip near my hand, get a rhythm and have even tried putting the end in my mouth to pull and not have to move my hand, but the wool fuzz in my mouth became too much ; ).    Dan's technique is to fully strip mute (when piano is at pitch) and after tuning middle strings, you pull every other insert out, which exposes alternate unisons.  You tune those unisons, then pull the strip exposing all three strings.   I prefer to tune the first set of alternate unisons, then reinsert the strip to expose only the ones I have left to tune.  For me that eliminates the sounding of the string already tuned and if there are imperfections such as false beats, it doesn't interfere with tuning the unisons you have left most cleanly.  The whole idea is minimum hand movement and getting in a repetitive groove.  I rarely use wedge mutes except for the break areas.  Again, this strip muting is for when the piano is at pitch.  Also, for uprights, using an impact over a pull technique should be decided early, depending on the feel of the block, that decision saves you time and helps with accuracy.  Clear as mud?    Lance Lafargue, RPT LAFARGUE PIANOS, LTD LPIANOS.com lafargue@bellsouth.net 4244 Hwy 22 Mandeville, LA 70471 985.72P.IANO ----- Original Message ----- From: Jason Kanter To: Pianotech List Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 11:25 AM Subject: strip muting was Bridle Straps/time/Pitchraising "I use an Accutuner and a method of strip muting taught by Dan Levitan." Please describe? On 1/3/07, Lance Lafargue <lafargue@bellsouth.net> wrote: Hi Steve, et al, <snip>     I use an Accutuner and a method pf strip muting taught by Dan Levitan.     <sni</BODY></HTML>