<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> I would definitely test several strings to check for pin tightness and resiliency of the wire. Occasionally you’ll run across an old upright that has no give left in the wire, it has work hardened and will not allow any pulling up to pitch before breaking. If both those things are okay it should “hold” a tune. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If you don’t want to do the full pitch raise check 3-4 strings in each octave. Just lower the tension a little then pull it up 20 cents sharp of pitch (you’ll need some sort of meter for reference). If it feels springy you should be good. If it feels like you are pulling up against a brick wall you could be in trouble. Check especially the more rusted strings.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If the pins are loose then sell her on a CA job for the tuning pins as well. You may need to do this anyway with the amount you are turning the bass strings to fix the bridge. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> When lowering the bass string tension don’t forget to grab the wire in the middle and pull laterally as you loosen to keep the coils tight on the pins. This will keep the wire from flexing at the becket and breaking. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Don’t forget also to check for separation of soundboard from ribs, especially at any cracks. If you find ‘em- CA glue ‘em (or your favorite method).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> You don’t need to repair the broken hammer to do a rough pitch raise, just pluck those strings. Ditto for the notes where the keys don’t work. And I would think a single pass would be more than sufficient to tell you of the pianos tunability health.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Good luck!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Dean<o:p></o:p> <u1:PERSONNAME u2:st="on">Dean May</u1:PERSONNAME>             cell 812.239.3359 <o:p></o:p> PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 <o:p></o:p> <u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:CITY u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><u3:place u4:st="on"><u3:City u4:st="on">Terre Haute</st1:City></u3:place></u1:CITY></u3:City> <u1:STATE u2:st="on"><st1:State u5:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">IN</st1:State></u1:STATE></st1:State>  <u1:POSTALCODE u2:st="on"><st1:PostalCode u6:st="on"><st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47802</st1:PostalCode></u1:POSTALCODE></st1:PostalCode></st1:place></u1:PLACE><o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Matthew Todd Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:47 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Cracked Apron<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Hi List,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> I gave my client an estimate for repairs for her upright she bought from a private party for $100.  The repairs include new keytops, bushings (both rails), new hammers and damper felts.  The piano is also 100+ cents flat.  This is the piano with the cracked apron.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Before I do any work, should I begin with giving it several pitch raises and tunings to see if it'll hold?  The problem with that is that several of the keys do not work right because they need new bushings.  So, should I commence with the keys first and then tune it?  I just thought about the customer paying hundreds of dollars for key work, and then hundreds more for pitch raises and tunings to find the piano won't hold the tune.  But then, how can I tune it well when the keys don't work right.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> On one of the keys, the shank is broken at the butt, so I'll need to repair that first.  And as far as replacing the hammers and damper felt, that could be done very last.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> I was just wondering about whether to do the keys first, or tune it first.  I thought maybe ya'll could tell with a few "rough" pitch raises whether the piano will hold.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> The strings are rusted, and the customer is aware of the risk involved here.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Thanks,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Matthew<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </body> </html>