Wurtilizer Tuning Woes

[David W. Pitsch]

One really good possibility is that there is a gap between the plate and
the pinblock in this area where the tuning does not hold.  The pinblock
shifts under the tension of the strings, causing the pitch to drop when
the pinblock moves forward.

To check and see if this is the problem, remove the action, and with a
business card or very thin feeler guage try to push the card or guage
between the plate lip and the pinblock.  You may also use a mirror and
light to make a visual inspection.

There are three ways to fix the problem:
1) If the pinblock is still structurally sound, hardwood shims can be
glued and hammered into this air space.  Lessen the tension on the
strings first.
2) Piano can be turned upside down and 24 hour epoxy poured into the
gap.  (Yes this is possible, but not as easy as number #1)
3) Many pinblocks begin to seperate under this tension, and if the piano
is almost 20 years old, this may very well be the case.  Remove plate
and replace pinblock.

Good luck.

atonal@planet.eon.net wrote:

> Greetings:
> Just a question from the frozen and dry Canadian north about a
> particular frustration in tuning the upper mid treble on a certain
> 6'1" Wurlitzer grand, Model G461 bought in the early 80's.  The
> placement in question is from about E55 up past the plate strut in
> through the whole next section.  The treble strings were seated, the
> whole piano was given a small pitch raise, then tuned using copious
> test blows.  Three weeks later, then two weeks later, while the
> rest of the piano was solid, this section was not holding its pitch.
> For the most part, flatting occurred, but some unisons could go
> either way.  Any experience and/or solutions to this head scratcher?
>
> On behalf of another technician, brought to you by:
> Rob Kiddell RPT
> Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
> atonal@planet.eon.net