To Dave M. Porritt, At least in the recent past and on my list serve e mail I haven't seen any inquiry regarding the time factor in tuning duplex scales, so your question may be of interest to a number of our colleagues as well as your self. In my experience the job of tuning the duplex scale in any kind of piano whether it be contiguous or individual oliquot duplex scale design must be approached separately from tuning a piano for immediate use. i usualy allow two to four hours for tuning a duplex scale, and charge accordingly as an added job, like voicing, or regulation or repairs. In effect it is a voicing product as it related directly to the tone of the instrument. The duplex can be way out of tune and many pianists as well as audience may not mind. It happens too frequently. However, more and more discerning artists are coming to appreciate the higher level of purity and fullness of a piano whose duplex scale is in tune. Your note does include an interesting idea that has been used successfully by tuners who tune duplex scales. The idea of "massaging" the duplex scale. Basically what this is is stretching, as when putting new strings on a stringed instrument. This does bring the string down and provide a stretch and evenness to the string . But as to the application of this stretching to a tuning job, I can not recommend it if it is used in lieu of placement of the harmonic bridge. The duplex portion of the string is comparatively short and the most effective method of tuning this segment, and having it stay in tune is to adjust the placement of the harmonic bridge (duplex) to a point on the plate that promotes a fundamental duplex tone that is in harmony with the speaking length. Hope this is helpful. Dan Franklin, RPT
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