Pitch Rasing using the SAT

[David W. Pitsch]

In deed you are correct.  Pitch raising with the end in mind (each note
compensated for where it will be in the final tuning) is the best method.  Using
the built-in SAT or RCT pitch raising is an educated guess at best.  The proof of
course is "in the pudding".
Any tuner who has tried both methods knows that depending upon the size of the
soundboard, how stiff the soundboard/rib/bridge system is, along with other
factors like weak points in the bridge where it crosses under a plate strut, all
add up to show that a piano tuner can be (and should be) more knowledgeable than
an electronic tuning aid.  That is why we are called tuner and the machines are
called aides!  I would be more than happy to prove this point in practrice to
anyone who doubts.

Wimblees@aol.com wrote:

> This topic might have been talked about before, but I want to pose a couple of
> questions regarding pitch rasing using the SAT or RCT.
>
> When Dee Schaefer gave her program on pitch raising using the SAT at our last
> chapter meeting, she discribed how the SAT instruction require that a pitch of
> a string needs to be measured, and then the SAT would automatically determine
> how much the string needs to be raised. When Kent gave his class on the use of
> the RCT, I believe he mentioned that the same thing is done with that program.
> (Am I right so far?)  Dee also said she never raises the ptich of the bass
> strings over A440, for fear of breaking the strings.
>
> I got to thinking about that proceedure, and how it is different than I do a
> pitch raise, using the SAT. I measure the pitch at A, and then offset the
> machine 1/4 higher, (the "normal" proceedure). I then set a FAC, ( or use a
> preporgramed tuning)  and tune the whole piano. I then retune the piano,
> again, setting a FAC, or using the preprogrammed tuning.
>
> Now the question. The way I see it, the original method, (measuring each
> string, or a group of 5 or 6 notes worth of strings) and then raising them
> accordingly, seems to be approaching the pitch raise from a point of view of
> where the individual (or small group) strings were, as apposed to where the
> all the strings have to go. While it is important to know that the whole piano
> is in need of having the pitch raised, and even to know approximately how much
> the pitch has to be raised, wouldn't it be better to raise the pitch to where
> the whole piano is supposed to wind up, rather than adjust each string
> according to where it was? (Am I making any sense?)
>
> Another question, one that I posed at the end of my pitch raising post.  Some
> of you mentioned tightening the plate screws before doing a pitch raise. Since
> I never do this,  is there something I am doing wrong? How important is
> tightening plate bolts?
>
> Willem Blees RPT