[pianotech] frustrated

[John Formsma]

A lot of great responses so far, Les.

Not sure if this will apply in your case. I have noticed in several
different Kawai grands a tendency for some instability, at least with my
normal test blows. What I mean is this: my normal test blows are pretty
hard, and where most pianos would be stable, certain Kawai grands have
pitch change caused by the normal test blow. My test blows are not
merciless, but they are firm. In these particular Kawais, it didn't matter
which lever technique I used, my normal test blow would cause immediate
pitch drop. And I could pound them pretty far flat with repeated hard
smacks. This would not happen in most pianos. And I can't think of any
other brand where I've noticed this.

Nothing changed the fact that the string moved with a normal test blow. I
have good lever technique and good stability, and am very confident in my
tuning skills. So, what I did was back off of the test blow just a bit.
Things went fine after that. I do think the stability of those pianos is
likely just fine with the reduced test blows. Most of the time, we are
striking the key with far greater force than it usually is played. These
pianos all were the KG2 size or smaller, and in homes. Not likely to be
pounded anyway.

But even if the stability is not there, it's not my fault. Can only do so
much, as others have said.

Hope this helps.


On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 9:05 AM, Leslie Bartlett
<l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

>  Do any besides me have pianos which take 4-5 hours to tune, and if so
> how do you bill for them.   I have some Chickerings which take me that
> long, and I have a Kawai KG2 (which I’m tuning for a serious concert) which
> I simply can’t get stable. Not that I get it set and then a whole section
> will go out, but I just can’t get it to go and stay where it should.   I
> don’t know what to do in those instances. After all I’m hired to tune the
> piano, but spending that long is quite counterproductive to income.    I
> have a customer on whom I spend more than average time but I love the piano
> and her as a unique musician.  She’s a professional accompanist.  I
> measured a “pitch raise” after a six month passage of time, and was an
> average of 1.1 cents off- so I can tune.  But there are a few which just
> drive me nuts.   Any ideas for sanity in these instances?****
>
> Thanks****
>
> Les Bartlett****
>
>  ****
>



-- 
John Formsma, RPT
Blue Mountain, MS
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