How to explain a pitch adjustment

[Geoff Sykes]

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This presents an interesting approach. Tell the customer up front what
SHOULD be done to get it right. Then give them the alternative to pass =
on
the pitch adjust with the caveat that since the piano will not, =
therefore,
have received as good a tuning when you are done as if it had been tuned
regularly, or had the suggested pitch adjust, it will very likely not =
hold
the tuning for as long as they might like or expect. Let them consider =
the
cost of a pitch adjust plus fine tuning now, or the cost of just a full
tuning today and an additional full tuning in two or three months =
instead of
six or so.
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of Dean May
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 6:49 PM
To: 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: How to explain a pitch adjustment


Hi Geoff
=20
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.=20
=20
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.=20
=20
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.=20
=20
Hope this helps.
=20
Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Sykes [mailto:thetuner@ivories52.com]=20
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 5:40 PM
To: deanmay@pianorebuilders.com; 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: How to explain a pitch adjustment
=20
Dean --
=20
At how many cents off pitch do you consider a pitch adjustment =
necessary?
=20
-- 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.=20
=20
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.=20
=20
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.
=20
Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
=20
-----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
=20
Greetings all --
=20
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?
=20
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles

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