Tech: Piano Tuning

Subject: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 04:54 PM

Hello, I need some information for a short story. Are piano tuners still in big demand? Do they use electronic tuners? This and any relevant info would be most appreciated.
Thankyou fB

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: Sue Allan
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 05:01 PM

They're certainly in demand in the rural area I live in, and the few tuners there are have miles and miles to cover to do their work. My mate Kevin Brice at St Albans runs Brooklands Pianos, who restore and tune and I'm sure he'd fill you in on any relevent detail. Just tell him it's my fault you're phoning. He can berate me by email if he wants!
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 06:20 PM

I know a piano tuner. I find they are still very much in demand to people who want their pianos tuned!!! This one does use an electronic tuner (purely because it's a lot easier), however, my old piano tuner still used tuning forks!!! (Fascinating to watch!!!) Anyway, that's enough exclamation marks!!!! I'm sort of learning to tune myself so if you need any info pm me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 06:34 PM

In demand here too. My last one used a fork, just one, not an electronic. I asked why and he said because the piano must be 'relative' to itsself, not necessarily on and exact pitch.

It's been a long time (piano needs tuning) but I think he just used a 440A fork, and then tuned the rest of the piano to that. Took him a long time as I recall.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 07:38 PM

Pianos are not necessarily tuned to 'exact pitch' - since the maths of tuning 'relative to oneself' are different from the basic theoretical maths. We could have a repeat of previous long discussions here of the various historical temperments, but you would be best advised to search for previous threads, as right now my temperment is not up to that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:45 PM

I know three tuners. One is my brother, the other a close friend. The third is the apprentice to the friend. They all have plenty of work. They use electronic tuners. Accu-tuners, I believe.

A good tuner does more than tune. They change strings, fix broken parts, adjust things, replace felt, and install and maintain equipment which keeps the humidity inside the piano stable.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: fat B****rd
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 04:16 AM

Thank you all very much. That's plenty to be going on with, but the more the merrier.
And further proof, if any were needed, that the Mudcat is a grand institution. There's an unintentional and very bad pun in there. Sorry. Big thanks from Charlie fB.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: danensis
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 06:49 AM

I always use this lot when I need my piano tuning:

ABPT

Mind you, I need to unearth it from under a pile of stuff. I bet the moths have eaten all the felt by now,

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: GUEST,Pete Sumner
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 11:15 AM

I am a piano technician in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in Steinway and Sons pianos.
Never been busier in my entire life...
I have used an electronic tuning device for seven years now and it enables me to work at the highest levels with complete confidence...
Be happy to share stories if you can use them....

It's ten years ago this w/e, that John Conolly and I had the wonderful opportunity to sing and play at Mystic....I hope all of you who make it over there this year have as good a time as we did...

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: fat B****rd
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 01:48 PM

Is that the Cleethorpes John Connolly and the Grimsby Pete Sumner? Mr. C used to stamp my books when he was a librarian in Grimsby.
He (JC) was also the first person I knew who had any blues records. Thank you all again for your information. I'll definitely PM if necessary. Charlie.

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 04:14 PM

GUEST, Leeniea told us:

A good tuner does more than tune. They change strings, fix broken parts, adjust things, replace felt, and install and maintain equipment which keeps the humidity inside the piano stable.

But also
What They Might Do

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 11:35 AM

Thank you, Uncle Dave. That sort of thing may crop up in my story.ATB from Charlie

Subject: RE: Tech: Piano Tuning
From: GUEST,pete Sumner
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 10:14 AM

Guilty on both counts :-)