A-440 and Ethics.

[Jeannie Grassi]

Avery,
I couldn't agree more.  If it is going to break at a certain point, it will
break whenever it gets there.  If it's old and rusty, I lubricate the
contact points, and I'm a little more careful, but I go for it.  I also warn
the owner of the condition of the piano and explain why strings may break.
Usually they understand that if a piano is allowed to get in such bad
repair, it may suffer further problems....like broken strings and other
parts.  

Julie,
I have raised pitch as much as a whole step (200 cents) a couple of times.
In 26 years I've never seen a plate break.

Charging for incremental tunings will not save the strings that will
probably break anyway, but it will cost your client more.  It's hard for me
to justify so many trips for such old tired beasts, anyway.  I say do it in
one shot, with over-pull and see how it will hold up.  If it doesn't make it
without multiple strings breaking...then have another chat with you client.
And the conversation may end with your recommendation not to put any more
money into it.   

jeannie

Jeannie Grassi, RPT
Associate Editor, Piano Technicians Journal
mailto:jcgrassi@earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Avery Todd
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 5:58 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: A-440 and Ethics.

Hi Ron,

Been there, seen that, heard that and STILL don't believe it! If a string 
(or plate, for that matter) is going to break, it'll break no matter how 
long a given tuner takes to get it up to pitch. I actually believe it's 
because a lot of "tooners" would prefer not to have a string break (and 
then have to replace it, of course), so they "subscribe" to that fallacy! 
JMNSHO!

If there's no evidence of previously broken/replaced strings, the tuning 
pins feel OK, not too much rust, ETC. I just give the customer a complete 
warning of what "could" happen and if they accept the possibility, I just 
do it! If strings break at the beginning (in the middle of the piano), then 
I'll tell the customer and back off and tune it where it is. If they break 
toward the end of the tuning, they break. I'm not going back and retuning 
the piano lower at that point!

Hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but it's what I've "evolved" to over 
about 30 years of doing this!

Regards,
Avery