Different Pitch Raising Sequence

[Kevin E. Ramsey RPT]

Of course, you have to use your best judgement. Will the piano take it? Are
there cracks in the bridge? Remember, we're adding maybe a couple tons of
tension to the piano.
    That said, if you're going to tune the piano, just do it! I don't
believe in putzing around, raising it a little this time, and a little more
next time. Pitch raises always have a certain element of risk. Warn the
customer, and come to an agreement, then get to work. On pianos that are 200
cents flat, or so, start out with the thought that if things start going
badly pretty quick, then maybe you should take time to re-think. I'm not
saying to raise a piano which was not designed for A440, to A440. But if
it's been neglected that bad, then you really have to get it where it needs
to go quickly. Then it can stabilize, after maybe two or three more tunings.
    In one of my last postings, I mentioned how on REALLY flat pianos, I
will bring them just up to pitch, or a little above, on the single strings
only, then pull in the unisons. This is exactly what I was referring to.
That way, the tension is spread out evenly across the plate. It's the most
safe way to do it, I think. From there, you can do a regular pitch raise.
    By the way, after the pitch raise, you'll probably want to at least seat
the strings on the bridges before you start to tune the next time you see
the "patient".
    One more thing: Usually pianos that are THAT flat, haven't been tuned in
years and years. I don't give it a second's thought to applying "Liquid
Wrench" of Protek "CLP" to the bearing points before I start. I really
believe that helps prevent string breakage.
    My $.02
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: Different Pitch Raising Sequence


> I regularly bring any piano that is up to 200 cents flat up to standard
> pitch in one sitting. At least half my tunings involve a pitch raise, and
I
> probably do at least one or two a week greater than 50 cents. They all go
up
> to standard pitch.
>
> In the last two years I have only had one piano that would not go up to
> pitch - an old rustbucket (moldy too!) S&S M. Had just a few pop a couple
> strings. Most all - no problem. I tell the customer that I recommend
> bringing the piano up to standard pitch - for better sound, and
> singing/other instruments/student reasons. I do tell them that there is
> always a chance that strings will break, and that they have the option to
> tune it at a lower pitch. Only one lady requested that I tune it at a
lower
> pitch - she did not have the funds to bring her little wurly spinet up
from
> 100 cents flat (it took a couple passes anyway just to even it out before
I
> could tune it!). I also did one old upright that was 350 cents flat and
was
> about 130 years old - THAT one I DID recommend to the owner that we only
> bring it up part way this time - I think we went up to about 150 cents
flat.
>
> What policies do others have regarding REAL FLAT pianos???
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 11:41 AM
> Subject: Re: Different Pitch Raising Sequence
>
>
> > In a message dated 12/12/00 10:04:16 PM Central Standard Time,
> > mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes:
> >
> > << Seems to me this is a good way to approach the piano with an elevated
> >  potential for popping strings during a pitch raise. Any thoughts? Are
> there
> >  any procedures that others have found to be valuable?
> >
> >  Terry Farrell >>
> >
> >
> > First of all, any piano that is more than 50 years old, whether it is a
> grand
> > or an upright, that is more than 50 cents low, will not get a pitch
raise
> of
> > more than 25 cents. This mostly eliminates string breakage. If a
customer
> > insists the piano be brought up to pitch, I will explain it will be at
> their
> > discretion, and that I will not be held responsible for anything that
> might
> > happen to the piano. (I have never had a customer challenge me.)
> >
> > I pitch raise starting in the middle of the piano, and go up, and then
> down.
> > I have found the piano to be more stable in the long run, than if I did
it
> > according the directions. Although Dr. Sanderson has stated it doesn't
> make
> > any difference, I am more comfortable with this method, and think it
does
> > make a difference.
> >
> > Willem
> >
>