Environmental tuning mysteries: solved, hopefully

[James Grebe]

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I have found that after a couple of regular tunings I often find that =
one time the piano will be 5-10c sharp and the next , in 6 months, 5-10c =
flat.  I seem to find if I leave it sharp it stays sharp and if I =
flatten it to 0 it goes flat.  Hard to outguess.
Jim
James Grebe
Piano-Forte Tuning & Repair
Artisan of Wood
WWW.JamesGrebe.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
pianoman@accessus.net
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Piannaman@aol.com=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 10:38 PM
  Subject: Environmental tuning mysteries: solved, hopefully


  Esteemed list scholars and such,=20

  I don't know how many of you remember  the case of the corroding =
strings on a brand new Kawai Rx-3 I encountered in January of this year. =
 I followed up by strongly suggesting that they stop mopping the radiant =
concrete floor with a vinegar-water solution(acid steam beath), which =
they did.  I thouroughly cleaned the strings, tuned the piano a couple =
of times, and went back a week ago, and voila--no more corrosion!  Not =
only that, the bloody thing was so close to being in tune I almost felt =
badly taking the money--well, not really...=20

  #2.  I've been tuning a Steinway M that has new strings, hammers, =
pins, block, wips, but I'm not sure about the board.   She's a very good =
customer, gets her piano tuned every 6 months like clockwork.  I first =
tuned the piano 2 years ago, and today was my fourth trip out.  First =
time, it was 10-15 cents flat.  Second time, it was 10 cents or so =
sharp, third time, 10 cents flat; today 5-10 cents sharp.  I do know how =
to stabilize a piano, so this was a mystery to me.  At least until I =
heard the air conditioner go on.  =20

  It's been hot in these parts lately, and pianos are going flat in =
droves(the houses in this part of CA are built for earthquakes, not =
inclement weather), but in the case of this piano, it's in a very large =
luxury home, with all the amenities.  Unfortunately, the piano is =
directly under a duct that dumps cold, moist air directly on it.  I'm =
convinced that is what's going on here.  In the winter, the heat comes =
out of the same duct, but to slightly less effect, since the heat rises. =
 The duct is now permanently closed.  More details next time.=20

  Any comments or thoughts on this one?  Just thought it was kind of =
interesting.  =20

  Dave Stahl=20

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