It depends on what it is being used for. If someone is taking lessons, I take it up. If it is played with other instruments I take it up. I should have said at the start, that I take it up to A440 the majority of times, and I inform the owner of that possibility of broken strings at the start. I tell them a few strings, ok, but if a lot start breaking, I will go back to the original pitch. If that happens and it is being used seriously, I tell them they should look for another piano. I remember one, years ago, that all of one gauge broke, so I assume it was a bad batch of wire. The owner at that time, had me change that gauge. So in ending, if it is used, it should be at pitch. I haven't found that raising 50c makes any difference to the breakage rate. 30+ years ago, I was raising the pitch in one, and strings broke, so I tuned it at the pitch it was at, and strings broke, I tuned it down, and strings broke. It was a nightmare, and thankfully I never ran into one like it again. John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: wimblees at aol.com To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 2:18 PM Subject: Re: pitch of old upright On most old uprights. I don't take any chances of breaking strings, much less the soundboard or the plate, and just tune it where it's at. Unless this piano needs to be on pitch with other instruments, I don't see the need to pull it up, even if it's up to 50 cents flat. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: reggaepass at aol.com To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 1:40 am Subject: pitch of old upright List, A client has a Reed and Sons upright, made in Chicago in 1907. It was last tuned three years ago, but is currently 20 to 45 cents flat. Features include a full plate, agraffes throughout the tenor and treble, continuous brass hammer rail flange, and balance rail pins that start at the top of the keys and protrude UP into the balance rail . Does anyone know what pitch this instrument is designed for? Thanks, Alan Eder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! John M.Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20081012/9b0b4a75/attachment.html
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