Fw: Square

[Michael Gamble]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Michael Gamble=20
To: Joe Garrett=20
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: Square


Hello Joe and List
We're talking about different instruments I think - you and I. When I =
say "remove the dampers" - in the squares I am talking about ancient =
squares(1770 or so) and the only way you're going to get those actions =
out is by removing them! The dampers sit on top of the strings as per =
normal, but they are attached to the ends of the keys. The only time =
you're going to take the dampers off is a radical action problem time. =
To remove the top lid on these types is a bit futile - I usually hunt up =
some ancient antique chair to rest the lid on behind the piano. The =
scaling of tuning pins in these is rather like Harpsichord and you =
cannot use any standard tuning hammer. So. We are talking about =
different types of square piano. I rest my case :-)
On a beautiful, cool, sunny morning in the Sussex Village
Michael G.(UK)
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Joe Garrett=20
  To: pianotech=20
  Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 5:47 AM
  Subject: Re: Square


  Hmmmm? Most of the advice, I've been reading, regarding how to =
approach a square grand tuning, is completely B.S., IMO!!!
  1. Remove the damned lid and place it out of the way! There's a trick =
to doing this w/o bugging up your back.
  2. When a square grand has oblong pins, there are two systems of =
tuning hammer/tips that can be used. a. Use a "Y" tip that has oblong =
tips at right angles to each other. b. Use a standard oblong tip that =
has "converter" attached, so that you can use your standard tuning =
hammer/tip combination. "b" is a bit trickier, but is doable
  3. Do NOT take the dampers off! Remove only the damper upstop rail. =
Trying to tune any piano with all of the strings vibrating is simply an =
exercise in futility.
  4. Use a standard Tip and Standard tuning hammer. DO NOT EXTENDED the =
damned thing! If you do, your accuracy will suffer greatly and add to =
your frustration. Note: If you are not, at least, 5' 8"....OR over =
6'2"...Do NOT do squares! (Unless you have a STRONG back and a weak =
mind. In which case, you should be a MOVER, not a Tuner!<G>)
  4. You can "Whomp" the key(s) just as hard as you would with a modern =
piano. The only difference is that you can not do a "double strike" w/o =
taking your finger completely off of the key. (period!)
  5. DO NOT ATTEMPT to improve the damping!!!!!! It's designed to have =
"over-ring" and anything you do to get rid of that is another exercise =
in futility. (this is the one area that most toooners screw up a Square =
Grand most! grrrrr!)
  6. If you have to remove the action, USE THE HANDLE!!!! Never grab the =
ends to pull the action!!! (Unless you like fixing broken =
hammers/shanks/butts!!!<G>
  7. You MUST have lost motion, just like in spinets!
  8. If the hammers seem loose, in their pinning, DO NOT REPIN, unless =
the bushing is totally trash. Simply adjust the screw, on the flange to =
the proper amount of friction. (Two bounces on the rest rail, is about =
right. Lift the hammer to the strike point and let fall. The hammer =
should bounce twice.<G>)
  9. When reinserting the action, play every note to allow the damper =
lift wires to settle back on the lift felt/leather. ALWAYS DO THIS!!!
  10. DO charge double your regular tuning rate
  11. Do take numerous breaks and do some "stretching/flexing =
exercises". (I've had a bad back, most of my life and I don't have any =
problems with my back because of tuning a Square Grand. (Period)
  I hope this helps those who are nice enough to attempt tuning these =
beasties. "Even People 'Who Have Square Grands Deserve Good Service". (A =
quote from one of PTG's greats: Emil Fries. I have taken that sage =
advice and used it for over thirty years!<G>)
  For the rest of you NaySayers I say phutzzzzz and anyone can tune a =
modern piano....it takes an advanced tuner to do a Square Grand!<G> =
phutzzzzzz!
  Regards,
  Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
  Captain, Tool Police
  Squares R I
---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/9e/0a/a5/48/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--