Marks inside pianos

[Richard Moody]

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> From: cpstout <cpstout@concentric.net>
> You have that right! And I for one appreciate knowing the tuning
> record and by whom.	Clarence (Clancy) Stout RPT
> 			Chandler AZ and Holyoke CO


Same here, also when I was there last.
The tuner's mark is a tradition that probably dates back to the first
tuner.  Perhaps it is part of the tradition of bench marks.  Some
did, some didn't.  That's the way it is today.   There is no simple
dictm.  I tuned for a dealer, and he requested for in-store tunings,
that I sign the date and my initials, and told me where to sign.
"Press the lowest C and sign on the on the exposed area of the B
key."
	When tuning in a large metropolitian area, I was impressed with the
the signatures on the plate. Carefully lettered in black india ink
the last name and date tuned.  Had to be india ink as the Sanford
Sharpie fine point permanent marker  ain't that sharp.  On grands I
most often saw it on the cappo bar facing the pins.
	There are  unwritten rules.  It seems that "marks" are written at
the first tuning, and after only to denote pitch raises, and other
notes such as regulation and hammer filing.  Done in pencil or india
ink.  But ONLY on privately owned instruments. Never on performance
instruments.  At least in view.  So it seems. Who can say.
	I suppose if tuner's marks are that objectional one could offer a
service to remove them, if you are hurting that bad for business. But
what looks "worse" than a tuner's mark are the attempts at eraseing
them, when done unprofessionally.
	R.M.

ps Remembering tuning behind rm only six months later, (according to
his mark) and thinking what a lousey tuner he was cause of the way it
was out of tune.  Guess what it sounded like when I was lucky enough
to be called back in another six months?  You may ask how I learned
to look for and snug loose plate screws.