How to explain a pitch adjustment

[Dean May]

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Hi Geoff
 
It kind of depends on the piano. Most Yamahas are a little more
tolerant. Generally if they are more than 8-12 cents out I'll use the
pitch raise feature of the Cyber Tuner. But I normally don't charge
people extra unless it is more than 15 out. Actually, if they are within
15 cents I normally don't even put the piano on pitch (unless it is in a
critical situation that demands on pitch). If a piano is only out that
much it is probably because of humidity issues, so I'll tune it flat or
sharp as the case may be. Otherwise when I come back in 6 months it will
be 15 cents out the other way. I have a lot of anecdotal evidence to
support that. 
 
Most of the time if they are out up to 50 cents I only make one pass
through the piano. I always adjust the overpull down on the pitch raise
screen by -4 cents. It seems to work for me. I do check after the first
pass, especially at the tenor break, but I am not looking for a
perfectly still spinner. I'll tolerate about 1.5 cents out, especially
if they are somewhat consistent. Usually, even on more major pitch
raises, there will be only 10-15 notes I need to slightly adjust. 
 
If they are out 100-200 cents I usually need to tune twice, then a third
time on 10-15 notes. I always tell the customer afterwards that the
piano doesn't have as good a tuning as if it had been tuned regularly.
It won't be stable until after the second or third tunings. The second
tuning should come within 6 months but you might want to call me out
sooner if it gets sounding bad. 
 
Hope this helps.
 
Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Sykes [mailto:thetuner@ivories52.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 5:40 PM
To: deanmay@pianorebuilders.com; 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: How to explain a pitch adjustment
 
Dean --
 
At how many cents off pitch do you consider a pitch adjustment
necessary?
 
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Dean May
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 1:54 PM
To: 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: How to explain a pitch adjustment
I find it very helpful to "pre-sell" the pitch raise. When a new
customer calls we quote our normal rate ($85) and ask how long it has
been since the last tuning. We then explain that if the piano is real
bad it could be up to $150 because it will require more work to get it
into shape. (My rule of thumb for charges is take the worst note out of
tune and add $1/cent to my basic rate, up to the maximum of $150.) There
may also be additional charges for minor repair and/or adjustments. Most
people do not balk at all at the cost. They are expecting to pay more on
a piano that hasn't been tuned for many years. 
 
Then when I get to the job I don't ever have to sell a pitch raise. It
is pre-sold. They may ask if it is going to take the pitch raise, but
they've already committed to paying it or I wouldn't have the
appointment. 
 
Being up front like this eliminates the perception that you are just
trying to "upsell" a job. They know before you come out what the
possibilities are. Before I started doing this several years ago I faced
the same struggle you are. Since we started doing the pre-sell, I am
actually doing more pitch raises at a much higher price.
 
Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Geoff Sykes
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 3:45 PM
To: Pianotech@Ptg. Org
Subject: How to explain a pitch adjustment
 
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 sure,
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
found that car analogies often help when explaining things but I have
not 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 the incredible string tension across the plate and why
it needs to be equalized before a fine tuning will hold, I often feel
like I'm coming off trying to sell them something bogus. How do you
people explain pitch adjustments to your customers whose piano needs it
so that they not only understand what it is but why it's important that
their piano gets one prior to tuning?
 
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles

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