Pianotech

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

There is no logical reason that only C1 would rise 200¢ all by itself.  IThe only way that it can be that far off is if it was tuned 200¢ sharp.  My guess is that your ETD locked onto an incorrect partial when it was tuning that note.  If you reliably retuned C1, so that it passed all electronic and aural tests, then it will not be 200¢ sharp when you recheck it.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

One more thought.  If you lowered the pitch of C1 by 200¢ when you retuned it, then it is possible for that note to have rebounded by 10-20¢.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:25
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

There is no logical reason that only C1 would rise 200¢ all by itself.  IThe only way that it can be that far off is if it was tuned 200¢ sharp.  My guess is that your ETD locked onto an incorrect partial when it was tuning that note.  If you reliably retuned C1, so that it passed all electronic and aural tests, then it will not be 200¢ sharp when you recheck it.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

When you say that C1 made a perfect octave with D2, do you mean it was in unison with it? Or an octave higher (extremely unlikely)? Or an octave lower (also unlikely, but perhaps less so)? And you mentioned that you do aural checks as you tune with your ETD (it would be a mistake not to, IMHO). If the tuning pin were chronically loose, I could see it going flat by several semi-tones (AKA half-steps), but you would certainly notice the lesser torque if that were the case.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:30
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

One more thought.  If you lowered the pitch of C1 by 200¢ when you retuned it, then it is possible for that note to have rebounded by 10-20¢.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:25
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

There is no logical reason that only C1 would rise 200< all by itself.  IThe only way that it can be that far off is if it was tuned 200< sharp.  My guess is that your ETD locked onto an incorrect partial when it was tuning that note.  If you reliably retuned C1, so that it passed all electronic and aural tests, then it will not be 200< sharp when you recheck it.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Thanks for the advice. No, nothing noteworthy about the pin tightness. Carl, it could have rebounded, I hadn't thought of that. I'm supposed to do a phone consultation after my client gets home from work, hopefully I'll be able to diagnose what's going on then.

Alan, I mistyped. I meant to say "formed a perfect unison with D1".  Although, thinking about it, C#1 was just fine. Who knows? Hopefully I'll have some answers tonight.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:39
From: Alan Eder
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

When you say that C1 made a perfect octave with D2, do you mean it was in unison with it? Or an octave higher (extremely unlikely)? Or an octave lower (also unlikely, but perhaps less so)? And you mentioned that you do aural checks as you tune with your ETD (it would be a mistake not to, IMHO). If the tuning pin were chronically loose, I could see it going flat by several semi-tones (AKA half-steps), but you would certainly notice the lesser torque if that were the case.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:30
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

One more thought.  If you lowered the pitch of C1 by 200< when you retuned it, then it is possible for that note to have rebounded by 10-20<.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:25
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

There is no logical reason that only C1 would rise 200< all by itself.  IThe only way that it can be that far off is if it was tuned 200< sharp.  My guess is that your ETD locked onto an incorrect partial when it was tuning that note.  If you reliably retuned C1, so that it passed all electronic and aural tests, then it will not be 200< sharp when you recheck it.

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Agree 100% 👍

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Ditto Mr. Sutton.

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:55
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Agree 100% 👍

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

The only way to resolve this is to be there with the customer and listen to what he is hearing as he plays the note. How much wear is on the hammers and what shape is the regulation in ? maybe the hammers have heavy grooves or worse. I had a customer with a very nice Hamilton that lived out in the country. Unfortunately it was left in a non air conditioned room for a year and the hammers peeled off like bananas. Those that didn't peel sounded awfull. A complete set of new hammers and shanks fixed the problem. Its not unheard of for people to try to tune their own pianos either. I had a college age kid who succeeded in breaking about half dozen strings attempting a you tube tuning. He came clean when I pressed him.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 21:32
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Ditto Mr. Sutton.

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:55
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Agree 100% 👍

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

My experience with Hamiltons is that they are fairly stable through even
the most demanding environments. They can take a beating in a practice
room and still sound ok.

200 cents sharp is a lot. The most I have ever seen a piano move in
about six months is 65 cents flat and 25 cents flat.

Earlier this year I had a situation where my ETD tuned all the Bs way
off. Shame on me for only aurally checking octaves. I tuned two pianos
in a row that way and got two call backs. Since then, I always check
using at least 12ths to make sure nothing unusual like that happened.

When you discover the problem let us know.

JP


Original Message------

The only way to resolve this is to be there with the customer and listen to what he is hearing as he plays the note. How much wear is on the hammers and what shape is the regulation in ? maybe the hammers have heavy grooves or worse. I had a customer with a very nice Hamilton that lived out in the country. Unfortunately it was left in a non air conditioned room for a year and the hammers peeled off like bananas. Those that didn't peel sounded awfull. A complete set of new hammers and shanks fixed the problem. Its not unheard of for people to try to tune their own pianos either. I had a college age kid who succeeded in breaking about half dozen strings attempting a you tube tuning. He came clean when I pressed him.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

I'm curious what your octaves sounded like after you made your corrections, John. You wrote that you checked them aurally (and they sounded good?). But the customer complained about the 12ths? A little more information would help me understand what you did.

Yours,

Bob Anderson
Tucson,AZ


Original Message------

My experience with Hamiltons is that they are fairly stable through even
the most demanding environments. They can take a beating in a practice
room and still sound ok.

200 cents sharp is a lot. The most I have ever seen a piano move in
about six months is 65 cents flat and 25 cents flat.

Earlier this year I had a situation where my ETD tuned all the Bs way
off. Shame on me for only aurally checking octaves. I tuned two pianos
in a row that way and got two call backs. Since then, I always check
using at least 12ths to make sure nothing unusual like that happened.

When you discover the problem let us know.

JP

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it. 

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Also interested in the outcome. 

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hello All,

Ok, I went to his house yesterday evening to take a look at C1. Carl, you were correct, C1 had risen about 20 cents sharp. So I fixed it accordingly to Cybertuner while he was watching. (He is an absolute aural-phobic. I think he had a bad experience with a technician that "tuned strictly by ear", because every time I tune for him he insists that I use "the machine" and that I "don't tune by ear at all." .... I don't tell him that I tune unisons by ear, though.)

Then he tried it, and said "I know it's just perfect, but... could you maybe lower it just a bit?" So I lowered it about 5 cents, he listened and asked again. So again I lowered it, and again, and again... in the end, he wanted it about 40 cents flat of where it should be, by aural standards and CyberTuner.

But he was a happy camper in the end, and was just so pleased that I would come back, especially once he saw how off he wanted the note. And, it turns out that he's a instrument-phile, and especially loves restoring old instruments. Hey, it's a small world after all. (Please don't start singing.) 

Thanks for the help everyone,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 12:54
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Also interested in the outcome.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

So is C1 now lower than A0, A#0 and B0 ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 15:15
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello All,

Ok, I went to his house yesterday evening to take a look at C1. Carl, you were correct, C1 had risen about 20 cents sharp. So I fixed it accordingly to Cybertuner while he was watching. (He is an absolute aural-phobic. I think he had a bad experience with a technician that "tuned strictly by ear", because every time I tune for him he insists that I use "the machine" and that I "don't tune by ear at all." .... I don't tell him that I tune unisons by ear, though.)

Then he tried it, and said "I know it's just perfect, but... could you maybe lower it just a bit?" So I lowered it about 5 cents, he listened and asked again. So again I lowered it, and again, and again... in the end, he wanted it about 40 cents flat of where it should be, by aural standards and CyberTuner.

But he was a happy camper in the end, and was just so pleased that I would come back, especially once he saw how off he wanted the note. And, it turns out that he's a instrument-phile, and especially loves restoring old instruments. Hey, it's a small world after all. (Please don't start singing.)

Thanks for the help everyone,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 12:54
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Also interested in the outcome.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin said 40 cents, not 400 cents :)

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianos.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 15:35
From: James Kelly
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

So is C1 now lower than A0, A#0 and B0 ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 15:15
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello All,

Ok, I went to his house yesterday evening to take a look at C1. Carl, you were correct, C1 had risen about 20 cents sharp. So I fixed it accordingly to Cybertuner while he was watching. (He is an absolute aural-phobic. I think he had a bad experience with a technician that "tuned strictly by ear", because every time I tune for him he insists that I use "the machine" and that I "don't tune by ear at all." .... I don't tell him that I tune unisons by ear, though.)

Then he tried it, and said "I know it's just perfect, but... could you maybe lower it just a bit?" So I lowered it about 5 cents, he listened and asked again. So again I lowered it, and again, and again... in the end, he wanted it about 40 cents flat of where it should be, by aural standards and CyberTuner.

But he was a happy camper in the end, and was just so pleased that I would come back, especially once he saw how off he wanted the note. And, it turns out that he's a instrument-phile, and especially loves restoring old instruments. Hey, it's a small world after all. (Please don't start singing.)

Thanks for the help everyone,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 12:54
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Also interested in the outcome.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

You did well.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 15:15
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello All,

Ok, I went to his house yesterday evening to take a look at C1. Carl, you were correct, C1 had risen about 20 cents sharp. So I fixed it accordingly to Cybertuner while he was watching. (He is an absolute aural-phobic. I think he had a bad experience with a technician that "tuned strictly by ear", because every time I tune for him he insists that I use "the machine" and that I "don't tune by ear at all." .... I don't tell him that I tune unisons by ear, though.)

Then he tried it, and said "I know it's just perfect, but... could you maybe lower it just a bit?" So I lowered it about 5 cents, he listened and asked again. So again I lowered it, and again, and again... in the end, he wanted it about 40 cents flat of where it should be, by aural standards and CyberTuner.

But he was a happy camper in the end, and was just so pleased that I would come back, especially once he saw how off he wanted the note. And, it turns out that he's a instrument-phile, and especially loves restoring old instruments. Hey, it's a small world after all. (Please don't start singing.)

Thanks for the help everyone,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 12:54
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Also interested in the outcome.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Ah shucks, it was nothin'. ☺️

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 21:45
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin,

You did well.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-03-2018 15:15
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello All,

Ok, I went to his house yesterday evening to take a look at C1. Carl, you were correct, C1 had risen about 20 cents sharp. So I fixed it accordingly to Cybertuner while he was watching. (He is an absolute aural-phobic. I think he had a bad experience with a technician that "tuned strictly by ear", because every time I tune for him he insists that I use "the machine" and that I "don't tune by ear at all." .... I don't tell him that I tune unisons by ear, though.)

Then he tried it, and said "I know it's just perfect, but... could you maybe lower it just a bit?" So I lowered it about 5 cents, he listened and asked again. So again I lowered it, and again, and again... in the end, he wanted it about 40 cents flat of where it should be, by aural standards and CyberTuner.

But he was a happy camper in the end, and was just so pleased that I would come back, especially once he saw how off he wanted the note. And, it turns out that he's a instrument-phile, and especially loves restoring old instruments. Hey, it's a small world after all. (Please don't start singing.)

Thanks for the help everyone,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 12:54
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Also interested in the outcome.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2017 11:19
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Mr. Sanchez, try putting a very small dab of wood glue on the tuning pin somewhere where it won't be seen.  If it's tuned while you're gone, the glue will fall off when the errant tuning lever touches it.

School and church work can sure make mush out of a technician's world in a hurry with just one person's words  .... qualified or not.  Jump on this one and protect yourself all the while providing good customer service.  Good luck.  Let us know.

Lar
Happy New Year.

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
360-256-2999

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 10:57
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Thanks all. Admittedly, I was a little frustrated with him. But you're absolutely right. This business is about service; thanks for reminding me of it.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2017 01:13
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

That's very good advice from Ed.  One thing to also consider is that he might have a hearing problem. That will effect what he hears.

It's a touchy subject, but something you need to consider.



------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 20:41
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin-
Perhaps you have an opportunity to practice your approach to good customer relations.
My business advisor once said to me "All relationships are based in forgiveness."
So here is a situation where you have admitted and corrected a mistake, and now your customer wants a little more attention.
You could use this as a chance to show him you really want him to enjoy his piano.
Even if all sounds fine to you, you can listen carefully to his concern, and let him see you are really trying to hear what bothers him.
You can tweak the tuning and voice the hammer a little and ask if it sounds better.
Be very careful to not turn it into an "I'm right, you're wrong" situation.
You may develop a loyal customer who passes your name on to his friends.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 18:17
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Did the phone evaluation last night. Just sounds too bright to me. Had him run 17ths and octaves, everything checked out. But, "if you were here you'd hear it differently." So I lined up with him a time that's convenient for me, and hopefully will be in and out in 2 minutes flat...

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2017 09:46
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

I also suspect some "game playing" here. Interested to know the upshot of it.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 14:56
From: Willem Blees
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Benjamin

shen you back to check the note again, just matter of factlt ask your customer what tuning hammer he has.  I suspect that this guy is trying to tune the note himself.  When you've got it in tune again ask him if it sounds OK to him.  He might tell you he thinks it's flat.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2017 13:42
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: C1 Going Sharp

Hello all,

One of my clients that I had tuned for 2 weeks ago called me at the beginning of last week, saying that C1 had drifted sharper than D1. Ok, it's a decent piano, I'll go check it out. So I get there, and C1 makes a perfect octave with D2. Ouch. So I retune C1 to form an octave with C2, and leave. I figured I had accidentally changed my ETD to D1, then tuned C1. That's what I thought until last night. This is weird because I check everything aurally, and did a complete check of the piano. Nothing at the time said "gross mistake".

Last night at 9:00 the same guy texts me and says C1 has drifted sharp again. I responded, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The piano is a Baldwin Hamilton upright, needs some work but in good condition. Holds its tune well (except for C1, apparently). Pins / pinblock are in good condition. Any ideas as to what's happening?

My thoughts are: maybe the C1 is brighter than its neighbors? Or perhaps the humidity is doing something weird (the piano is right by the window). Any thoughts?

(No, I don't excessively pound the keys when I tune. But he might when he plays it, I'm not sure.)

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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