Hammer technique for 7' grands

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Sherry:	
	You're not alone!  I find a lot of pianos have a similar characteristic. 
Sometimes the wire gets a flat spot where it goes through an agraffe or
under the V bar, and it doesn't move/slide easily.  Or the hard understring
felt in front of the tuning  pins is compressed very hard by the strings. 
Same problem.  I usually try to put some protek on this felt along the
strings.  It seems to help.  Just be careful not to get it on the tuning
pins!  Also, you can push  down on the speaking length to make the string
move along.  Not much fun!  Anyway, good luck.
	Best,
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego


> [Original Message]
> From: Sherry <swidmer@rochester.rr.com>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 06/01/2004 6:37:55 AM
> Subject: Hammer technique for 7' grands
>
> Hi,
>     I recently had 4 different jobs tuning 6'11" to 7' grands (Steinway,
> Yamaha and Baldwin).  With each of the pianos I had the same problem.  I
> would use short, sharp "jerks" on the tuning hammer to bring a string to
> pitch.  I would feel the pin move (not twist but actually move) but the
> pitch wouldn't change.  Then suddenly on the 5th or 6th stroke the pitch
> would jump quite a bit above where I wanted it to be.  When I tried to
lower
> it to the correct pitch the would stay put and then leap back down below
> where I wanted it.  Eventually I was able to get it to the right spot but
it
> was all very frustrating.  Is there a special (or different) hammer
> technique that one should use with the larger grands or did I just manage
to
> get 4 difficult pianos?
>         Thanks for the help.      Sherry
>
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