large uprights, spinet string length

[Farrell]

Newton. Yamaha spinet. I hear ya! I have the pleasure of tuning a 1967
Yamaha 37" spinet #640791 once a year. It sounds nice. The tone is
consistent/even. Pressing a key down gives a feeling reminiscent of closing
the door of a Rolls Royce (never done it by the way - just feels that
nice!). Nice, smooth, even-feeling action. Quiet. I haven't tuned this piano
for about a year now, but I am aware that I have likely thought about it at
least a dozen times (likely more - and always in a VERY positive manner)
over the past year. Amazing little instrument. I would prefer owning and
playing that piano over all but a handful of vertical pianos that I have
seen/played/tuned.

Did I say I like the little Yamaha spinet?  :-)

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Newton Hunt" <nhunt@jagat.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: large uprights, spinet string length


> Having the longest strings possible will not necessarily
> give the best sound.  String lengths are not nearly as
> important as is bridge, soundboard, rib and parimeter
> designs.
>
> Design, fabrication and integration are important.  String
> length is not.
>
> Some of us have had the pleasure of tuning Yamaha spinets
> from the mid '70s.  They were not loud but they had a
> wonderfully musical sound with a superb action.  It is
> possible to build a $10,000 spinet but who would buy it?
>
> There was one upright piano made that was some 2-" high.
> Not exactly portable.
>
> Newton
>