<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C4C7F1.7C326620">  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> I&= #8217;ve done hundreds in the last 25 years, never cracked a plate, often bringing it = 40-50% overpull. I used to bring it up to 100% overpull before RCT. I never = bring up center strings first, then left strings, then right strings. I always = start at one end and tune all strings as I go up. = <o:p></o:p> <!= [if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> I&= #8217;ve often heard about the “danger” of crack plates by unbalanced = tension. I dunno, maybe it can happen. But I’ve never encountered it in pitch raises or in = chip tunings on restringing jobs. <o:p></o:p> <!= [if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <!= [if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> Dean<o:p></o:p><= /font> Dean May             cell = 812.239.3359<o:p></o:p></= p> PianoRebuilders.com   = 812.235.5272<o:p></o:p></= p> Terre Haute IN  47802<o:p></o:p> <= span class=EmailStyle18><![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> -----Original Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On = Behalf Of David Ilvedson Sent: Thursday, November = 11, 2004 12:08 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: A-440 and = Ethics. <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> Julia,<o:p></o:p><= /p> Why don't we ask the List if = anyone has had a plate crack during a pitch raise.   I've been working on = pianos for 30 years and it has never happened to me.   = <o:p></o:p><= /p> David I.<o:p></o:p><= /p>  <o:p></o:p><= /p> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: <<a = href="mailto:Alpha88x@aol.com">Alpha88x@aol.com</a>> To: <<a = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> Received: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:18:18 EST Subject: Re: A-440 and Ethics.<o:p></o:p><= /p> Greetings,             = Usually, when I get a tuning call, it is a piano which hasn't been kept up the = tunings on. I always ask how long since it was last tuned. They usually don't = know.. especially if they have taken in an "orphan" piano.              = I do not like to raise the A4 pitch on any piano more than say 1/4 a tone or = so, if it's been neglectd tunings. This is because I don't want to run the risk = of cracking anyone's harp plate, let alone breaking strings. Especially on = the little spinets, whose plates are 5/8" or less thick.             &= nbsp; When I get to the house, I check the A-440 and it's octaves and get an = idea of the overall tone of the piano; whrere it went flat the most. I always = explain the concept of A-440 to the customer, and more times than not, it doesnt = matter to them if its up to A-440 or not.            They just = would like it in tune with itself. I also explain that pianos are designed to = be tuned to A-440 for best results. (unless it is an extremely old, dry = upright that's seen better days and wont let you even gradually take it up that = far, even with subsequent tunings/loose pins or bridges coming off) I tune it = the best I can get it, to sound at the A-4?? and suggest subsequent tunings = so we can gradually get it there. They agree to a reminder card from me for = follow ups ....say, 4 to 6 mo for the first follow-up. I also inform them that = with each tuning the piano becomes more stable and to never let a piano go = more than 2 years max.           On hearing these = pianos, they are so, so neglected and out of tune, the piano always sounds better upon my departure, and thats all = alot of folks want in order to start the kid's lessons, without paying = "an arm and a leg".  With customers who are more vigilant of how their = piano sounds is another matter.           My tuning teacher = used to say "As long as it sounds a lot better when you leave than from = when you arrived". Julia, Reading, PA <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>