Tuning time

[John Delmore]

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Thanks to all who have posted things like this thread.  As one just starting
out, it's a great resource to get an idea of the right/wrong ways of running
this type of business.  I've already decided that, when I start charging
people, I'm not going to charge a "tuning fee".  The fee will be for 1.5
hours of "service".  If the tuning takes one hour, I'll look to other
improvements I can make for the balance.  I got this idea from another
thread where someone did this sort of thing:  make the whole instrument a
little better each time-the customer loves it, it gets easier on you. 
As we say here in the South:  Y'all's great!!  Keep it up!!
John (waiting for my membership packet) Delmore
 
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From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 10:37 AM
To: 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: Tuning time
 
It's an argument for full service appointments in which you schedule
additional time to do things other than tuning.  And, of course, you charge
more for those appointments.  
 
David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of BRETT GLASS
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 11:25 PM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Tuning time
 
Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas to All ,
And to Ken I'm not missing the SNOW !
Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them . I seem to have
slowed down . More so on the quality instruments . Like today I was tuning a
customers Steinway L (1972)  for the second time . I don't remember it
taking as long last year .  This time the 5th & 6th octives had so many
false beats . I stoped to seat the strings & bridge pins . Then I got
annoyed by a clicking noise on G-6 that turned out to be a loose hammer
flange bushing .
Then as I got to the lower bass another noise the keybed was knocking .
Maybe the Dampp-Chaser system I installed last year made these things show
up. All I know is I ended up running about an hour behind .
Then this afternoon I ran into a KG-1 I tune every 3 months . New DC system
last fall ???? wild strings 5th 6th & 7th . I ended up seating all the
bridge pins & strings it was easier to dress all the strings & then tune .
Then a buzzing sound from the case. Had to tighten every screw tell I
finally happened to kick a small fan with a metal cage setting under the
piano . Fixed it ! This piano is used for Jazz gigs , Now everyone will
wounder why the pianist is sweating . I tossed the fan .Another hour behind
! I seem to be spending more time on the grands I tune then before . The
spinets well I do my best . Even a nice U-3 or 1 will slow me down with one
thing or another .
Am I just hearing better ? Has my experience gotten to the point where I
find more things that I would have missed before (most likely). I know that
most of the pianist don't hear these things . I'm also afraid that the ones
that do feel that they got a poor tuning . Before I got into tuning as a
player I didn't hear 90 percent of what I do now . And I'm sure that most
people grow accustomed to what they are play day in & out. They must because
when I'm done with every piano I play it . Most of the spinets I hate . They
think it sounds great . Even the little spinet I played for years as a kid
hurts to play now . Back then it was great ! 
At what point do you decide to charge for these little extras . Or should
you cover your tunings by fixing the little things . For now thats where I'm
at . It sure can make you run behind though .
Thanks for the input on reselling services . I'm sure now that I'm not
charging enough .
Brett Glass
A Sharp Piano Service Maui
PS: I won't tell you how I fixed the loose bushing other than to say I had
none with me . And most likely that flange will need to be replaced next
time it needs to be rebushed . It was loose to the wood in the flange . I
know the quick fix police are going to pull me over for speeding to the next
job . Guess 

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