How to explain a pitch adjustment

[David Ilvedson]

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Ha...I sent the same analogy a moment before I read yours...;-]

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, California





Original message
From: "John Formsma" 
To: Pianotech 
Received: 12/20/2005 3:06:22 PM
Subject: Re: How to explain a pitch adjustment


As Dean wrote, "pre-selling" the pitch raise on the phone has worked ve=
ry well for me, too.

Remember to always keep the explanation as simple as possible. The cust=
omer doesn't live and breathe piano technology like we do, so keep it s=
imple. They don't care about a 33% pitch drop. (I've seen the glazed ey=
es from my own explanations - that's how I know <grin>.)

I often will simply state (ideally, on the phone) that it's impossible =
to do a fine tuning unless the piano is close to standard pitch. When t=
hat is stated confidently, it's usually not a problem. If needed, a fai=
rly universal example is painting a purple wall ... white. You can't do=
 it with only one coat - it requires two or more. Most people understan=
d that if it has been "years" since the last tuning, it can't be done w=
ith only one pass.

John Formsma


Geoff Sykes wrote: 
Greetings all --
 
Many pianos need a pitch adjustment prior to tuning. Usually because it=
 hasn't been touched in five years. Therefore, like many of you I'm sur=
e, I frequently find myself having to explain to customers what a pitch=
 adjustment is, and why their piano needs one prior to tuning. I have f=
ound that car analogies often help when explaining things but I have no=
t been able to come up with one that would help with a pitch adjustment=
. Even after explaining, as simply as I know how, the relationship of t=
he incredible string tension across the plate and why it needs to be eq=
ualized before a fine tuning will hold, I often feel like I'm coming of=
f trying to sell them something bogus. How do you people explain pitch =
adjustments to your customers whose piano needs it so that they not onl=
y understand what it is but why it's important that their piano gets on=
e prior to tuning?
 
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles

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