[CAUT] restrung D

[Alan McCoy]

Wim,

Seems to me that some "random" strings going out of tune doesn't point to a
climate control issue, especially with weekly tuning. If there is evidence
of climate issues, like is the low tenor section moving a lot?

First, for each piano determine if there is any pattern. Same strings? Same
section? Try to narrow the problem this way. Another way to narrow the
problem is do systematic string work - seating on bridge, hitch pins,
tighten tuning pin coils, crimp beckets, level strings, tighten hitch pins
coils. Try thin CA glue on bridge pins, if you discover loose pins. How
solid is the block mating? Are all the plate screws tight?

You may have some real bangers playing the pianos. Be very solid every way
you know how to be with your tuning.

Alan


-- Alan McCoy, RPT
Eastern Washington University
amccoy at mail.ewu.edu
509-359-4627


> From: John Minor <jminor at uiuc.edu>
> Reply-To: <jminor at uiuc.edu>, "College and University Technicians
> <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:15:47 -0500 (CDT)
> To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: [CAUT] restrung D
> 
> Wim,
> 
> I've had similar problems with a restrung B. I suspect part of the problem is
> due to the high volume of air flowing around the piano from the air handler
> fan speed. Fresh air from outside is required to keep air healthy. My
> situation worsened after the building had fans upgraded and outside dampers
> improved to bring in MORE fresh air.
> 
> Another possible cause is loose bridge pins caused by the extremely dry air in
> commercial buildings in the winter. I'm planning on doing an experiment with
> epoxy in bridge pins in one section to see if things improve.
> 
> Good luck! This can be extremely frustrating! One of my secret fears is that
> people will think I don't tune the piano at all, *OR* that I do a lousy job!!
> : (
> 
> John Minor
> University of Illinois
> 
> 
> I