List, I tune several Aeolian-made verticals, such as Mason & Hamlin, Hallet Davis, Knabe, etc. One of the major things that gripes me about them all is the false beats. I have not taken the time to see if the cause is loose bridge pins, poor notching, or whatever. Usually, I just tune thru it very quickly the best I can. However, if the notching is acceptable, would it be worth the money to the customer to repair these pianos to have a good sound minus the false beats? (Like a CA repair?) Some of these pianos are good-looking instruments on the outside, and it would be a shame to just throw it away if something less costly than replacement would render a more decent piano. My thinking is that, since these are Aeolian, then it would probably not be worth it, due to what I listed and other causes; but I wanted to ask you all. Anyone had to do this kind of "surgery" for one of these pianos? What about restringing, bridge work, and rescaling on one of these pianos if it could be obtained cheap? Better left alone...? John Formsma Blue Mountain, MS P.S. I tuned a Mason & Hamlin the other day that was so bad I had to get out my SAT. I set a temperament, and was tuning down to the wound strings, and just couldn't hear well at all. As it turned out, I had not done so bad after all--the SAT agreed pretty much with mine--but using the SAT made me feel more comfortable about this particular piano.
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