for those on the fence about hearing protection..

[Paul McCloud]

Years ago, I also discovered that pounding hard resulted in the string ending up sharp.  Sometimes, when a string won't render properly, I push down on the speaking length to force the equalization of all the string segments.  But I discovered that the string later comes up sharp.  I started thinking about this.  If you have increased the tension of all segments by pounding or forcing extra tension into the speaking length, all the non speaking lengths are going sharp as well.  Friction over the bearing points is going to prevent those segments from immediately affecting the speaking length.  Later, the string slides over the bearing points and affects the tuned string, making it sharp.  FWIW.

Paul McCloud
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Nereson 
To: Pianotech List
Sent: 03/20/2008 12:08:58 AM 
Subject: Re: for those on the fence about hearing protection..



<<I agree with you completly Phil, there is no such thing as "pounding too hard" unless you are breaking keys regularly!>>
(from a previous post; lost track of the author)

I have to disagree with this.  There is such a thing as pounding too hard.  I used to pound really hard, and would occasionally break key sticks and strings, although many times, the keys had a weak spot in the grain, usually at the balance pin hole, and the strings were OK but the hammers were too hard.  Anyway, I would frequently find my tunings sharp when doing my final check, even tho' they were "right on" with the SAT as I was tuning, doing unisons as I went.  I asked the list about this, and someone replied that too-hard test blows can cause strings to drift sharp.  I have since lightened up my key pounding and have almost no incidence of tunings drifting sharp.  I haven't changed my tuning style in any other aspect, so I think that was it.
    --David Nereson, RPT

And pounding hard too often leaves you with strings creeping 
sharp when you quit, particularly when you're lowering pitch.

Ron N

Or raising pitch.  Doesn't seem to matter, in my experience.  --D.N.
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