That there are a variety of experiences here suggests that there is more than one factor at play. After all, if it were simply the immutable laws of physics, well, they are the immutable laws of physics and we would not be able to handle a pitch raise in any way as to circumvent those and would not have even the possibility of a piano remaining stable after such a change. Unfortunately, it does seem to happen. It may boil down to technique in handling large pitch raises combined with some characteristics of certain piano designs that either promote or inhibit stability. My unscientific, unproven, lacking evidence, seat of my pants, best guess, dead reckoning is it is those two factors rather than anything as far reaching as the physical laws of the universe. But that's just my humble view from this small insignificant planet. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of James Grebe Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 2:29 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] PR follow up I certainly dis agree . I have been scheduling 2 weeks return tunings on anything over 25c low for almost my entire career.. In almost all cases they really need it to get them solid. James James Grebe Est. 1962 Piano Tuner-Technician Creator of Custom Caster Cups Creator of fine Writing Instruments www.grebepiano.com 1526 Raspberry Lane Arnold, MO 63010 (314) 608-4137 Become what you believe ----- Original Message ----- From: <wimblees at aol.com> To: <Pianotech at PTG.org> Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 2:33 PM Subject: [pianotech] PR follow up > > I just received a private post from a non-member who agrees with me that a > pitch raise and fine tuning can be done in one sitting, followed with a > return visit 6 months, or even a year later. He thinks that scheduling a > follow up visit 2 weeks later is not necessary, and borders on being > unethical. While I don't necessarily think it is unethical, I do agree > that there is no need to come back in 2 weeks, if the pr and fine tuning > were done right.?To be sure, if this piano is being used for a concert, > and it was indeed 10 or 15 cents low, then?the?return visit is necessary, > but only because a return visit for a concert is?SOP in?the first place. > But other than that, it is not necessary. ?And here's why. > > > > Pitch raise situations generally fall into two categories. One is where > the piano was bought by someone, and they want to get it tuned. In this > case, the previous owner had neglected the piano, and the new customer > wants to start fresh. Selling her/him a pitch?raise is easy, and the > customer will be very open to having the piano tuned again in 6 > months.?The other situation is where the customer hasn't had the piano > tuned for 5 or 10 years,?and?was either told by someone the piano is badly > out of tune, or she/he has a party coming up, and wants the piano to sound > good. > > > > When I was still in St. Louis, I only sent out reminder cards which?asked > customers to call me to schedule an appointment.?I would say only about > 25% of the pitch raise?customers, including those who promised to call me > in 6 months,?did so. Some might call after a year. But a majority would > never call me, or maybe 4 or 5 years later.?For those who just bought the > piano, maybe they called someone else, or decided the piano was a bad > investment, and sold it again. But for those who had the piano tuned for > the party, will probably not have it done again until just before their > next party, 10 years later. They just don't hear it, and it's not > important to them to?have the piano tuned that often. > > > > Now that I pre-scheduled appointments, half of those?I pre-schedule 6 > months later will call me to cancel the appointment.?The others will have > me come, but question whether or not it needs it. > > > 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 >
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC