Historic Pitch Emergency - Help!

[Paul]

Terry
I agree with Ed. There are several oldies in this area. Most get infrequent
service, so I tell the client the best thing to do is to tune it where it's
at, unless it's sharp.

Paul Chick
----- Original Message -----
From: <A440A@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2000 9:38 AM
Subject: Re: Historic Pitch Emergency - Help!


> Terry writes:
> >a tuning on an 1845
>
> Chickering Grand.
>
>  My concern is appropriate instrument
>
> pitch. My understanding is that A440 was not necessarily the standard back
>
> then. What can be said about the most likely pitch this instrument was
>
> designed for? Isn't this around the time that Chickering introduced the
>
> first full cast-iron plate? Maybe it is close to A440?<<
>
> Greetings,
>    I don' think so, but S. Birkett is going to be the real authority here.
> Here is another consideration:
>   Tune it near where it is !
>   It has to be somewhere, and regardless of age, a 30 cent move from where
it
> is is going to leave an "out of tune" piano.  If it is near 430,  so be
it.
> Unless you have a fair amount of experience with pianos this old,  I
suggest
> the safety of the existing pitch.  If it is too low for the performer,
then
> make sure someone that is responsible for the instrument accepts liability
> for any damage that a large pitch change may cause.  As Newton says, CYA ,
> first.
> Good luck,
> Ed Foote RPT
>
>
> Being a violin teacher, I assume the owner will be pitch sensitive/aware.
I
>
> fully understand that a high pitch may not be realistic, depending on the
>
> condition of the piano (I have not seen it - although it is reported to be
>
> "rebuilt"). I am also aware that she may clearly specify exactly what
pitch
>
> she wants it tuned to. But I feel the need to have some basic info on the
>
> pitch such an instrument was designed for. Thanks for any input.
> >
>