Hi Diane, I'd put the number somewhere between 4 and 5 hours (just a guess?, you might be much faster...) if you're including the tuning necessary after all of the string and coil adjustments, the pulling and installation of the action, comforting the customer who hears something like a person destroying their piano, etc. How close the tuning pins are to each other can make a difference as well, as to whether you can gain easy access to the bottoms of those coils with your tools. I've seen a number of pianos that had the tuning pins so tight together through much of the scale that it was difficult or impossible to get a coil lifter in there. A string hook works, but it takes me longer to get the coils neat than with a lifter. (Actually, I use a tool I made from an old bass string as a hook. I've broken at least two of the standard piano supply models, but my old bass string is still going strong.) I believe we probably have a pretty similar stringing style. I straighten out the coils and level the pins as I go. Never again do you have that kind of access to work with those strings and coils. A friend of mine has just the opposite approach though. He strings the whole piano, leaving all of the coils loose and the pins a bit too high. And then when all the strings are on, he comes back and straightens it all out. I have tried it both ways, but my personal preference leads me to doing all of the straightening as I go. To each his own. :-) Diane, I do hope things are well with you. I imagine you must be very busy, not only keeping up with the normal holiday rush, but also being short a worker. I do hope Murray is recovering well, and that you're both in good spirits. Best wishes to you, Brian Trout Quarryville, PA btrout@desupernet.net
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