Lovely birdcage - what to do?

[Geoff Sykes]

Yeah, after-ring. The damping on these things definitely left something to
be desired. Thanks for the response. I'm sure my customer will be glad to
hear that there is hope for improvement and her piano is not yet dead. And
thanks for the tip on bolts and screws. Always a good thing to check. So
easy to forget and/or ignore. 

-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of John Ross
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 1:31 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: Lovely birdcage - what to do?


I tuned an 1885 German 'birdcage', a couple of months ago, it was 
original, and looked as good as yours.
There was no indication, that any strings had broken, and I tuned it to 
A 440.
Amazingly, it didn't have as much after-ring, which is usually 
associated with these pianos.
I can see no problem, bringing it up a semi-tone at a time. Off course, 
if strings (more than a couple) break, reconsider.
I kind of get the idea, that in some of these cases, the pianos, were 
allowed to go down in pitch, each time they were tuned. This resulted 
than the strings being less stressed, than other pianos that age, so 
they can take it.
Tighten all screws, and bolts first.
Good luck.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner@ivories52.com>
To: "'Pianotech'" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 4:59 PM
Subject: RE: Lovely birdcage - what to do?


> You think this piano could be brought up to 440, perhaps in stages,
> without
> any problems? I was so afraid to do a pitch raise on this thing 
> because of
> what other local techs have advised that I never even thought that 
> perhaps
> the added tension would improve the pin tightness. Worth a try.
>
> In lubricating the termination points I'm guessing that you are
> suggesting I
> use just the tiniest amount possible. In other words, if I wind up 
> with it
> even coming close to wet I've used too much, correct? Not having any 
> Goose
> Juice, (yet), what would be an acceptable alternative?
>
> -- Geoff Sykes
> -- Assoc. Los Angeles
>
>
>
>
> Looks really nice!
> Addition of tension to 435 may tighten up the pins enough for them to
> hold
> without any CA. At this point the tone of the piano may show if you 
> could
> raise it to 440. Lube bass strings top termination point, just a drop 
> will
> do ya, and under the pressure bar where the treble strings terminate 
> also.
> Broke my oiler yesterday and used a piece of mutting felt wet with 
> Goose
> Juice to wipe the friction area. Worked fine on a Grandma's piano. 
> Rusty
> strings, 2 broken at the upper termination before I got there. Tried 
> to do
> the knotty thing but the broken wire was too bad to use. Joe Goss RPT 
> Mother
> Goose Tools imatunr@srvinet.com www.mothergoosetools.com
>
>
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> 

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