Hi Wim, You hit it right on. I do a pitch raise, and a fine tuning on one visit. As you do, I also indicate it will not stabilize, and to call me for a tuning again in the heating season, or if it bothers them Due to the humidity fluctuations up here in the summer, 60% -90% in just a few days, I never recommend tunings in the summer. Of course special circumstances could dictate a summer tuning. Most of these people do not notice the few cents that occur doing it on the one visit. The biggest change to be noticed, if one did come back in a few weeks, would be due to humidity changes. My rational for just recommending one tuning per year, is then I am tuning for the amount the piano goes out, and not the seasonal changes. I am sure this is better for the piano. At the University I have been tuning pianos at for the last 12 years, I lower the pitch in Sept. by about 30c, and when I do them again in Jan. I have to raise them about 30c. (I have tried to sell them Dampp- Chasers, and they say they can't afford them) They also can't afford any more tunings, although the 3 Concert Grands for recitals and concerts, are tuned once a month or more. Regards, John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:27 AM Subject: Re: pitch raising > In a message dated 7/15/00 11:08:24 PM Central Daylight Time, A440A@AOL.COM > writes: > > << What to tell the customer about a 100 cent flat piano? I say two passes, > (one fast and the second very careful) will be needed on the first visit, > (currently $150 worth of work, and I check the plate bolts and stuff as > part > of this). Then, anywhere from two or three weeks to two or three months, > they may want to tune it again, after which they are ready to resume a > normal > tuning schedule. >> > > > One thing I have found with pianos that are 100 or so cents flat is that they > belong to people who really don't care that much about their piano. The > exception is when someone has just bought a used piano from a friend or > relative, who had ignored the piano. > > In any case, seldom will you find a piano in a performance situation, where > it HAS to stay at A440. After doing a major pitch raise, (I do a pitch raise > and tuning in one appointment), I tell my customers I need to see the piano > again in 6 months. I also tell them it will drift out of tune before that, > because of the pitch raise. Although I send my customer a reminder card after > 6 months, it's amazing how few call me. > > Willem >
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC