Pianotech

  • 1.  Bass or Treble First

    Posted 09-03-2018 21:42
    It's always been a thought of mine and I've always done bass first after temperament with no real reason.  Which do you tune first after tuning the temperament, the bass or the treble?  Why so?

    Thank you.

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    Cobrun Sells
    C.J. Piano Tuner
    www.cjtuner.com
    cobrun94@yahoo.com
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  • 2.  RE: Bass or Treble First

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-03-2018 21:56
    I tune the bass first. No particular reason except it's a little easier to do.  Ironically, when I get done with the treble, and double check my work, I start at F3, the bottom note of my temp., and go up, double and triple checking every interval.  When I get done with the treble, I double check the bass.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 3.  RE: Bass or Treble First

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-04-2018 12:41
    When tuning aurally I tune from the temperament down first, then above the temperament to the top. The reason is, the bass strings weigh more, and it's my understanding that they cause the tension to shift more than the treble strings will. Tuning them first "ensures" that they won't be the reason your newly tuned treble falls out quickly. 

    Almost all ETD manuals (at least that I've read) recommend tuning from the bottom up. The late Dr. Sanderson came to the conclusion that this leads to a more stable tuning, and other research supports this. I'm sorry I don't have time to elaborate now, I'm on my way out the door to an appointment. Perhaps later....

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    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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  • 4.  RE: Bass or Treble First

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-04-2018 16:21
    Personally, I think what is more important than which way first from the middle is going over it initially in such a way (a pre-tuning, if you will) so as to even out any areas that are more than 1hz away from your final target...IOW a targeted pitch correction pass.  Then, your actual tuning will be a simple series of fine adjustments to nail it, and not have to worry about disturbing the tension (you already did that). 

    I should have adopted this method LONG ago, but failed to see the wisdom in it back then. Older and wiser now. 

    Pwg

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