Pianotech

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Just to provide additional information...

He is a non-PTG piano tuner (now retired, I believe). So, he can successfully actually tune a piano. He may not be a real high level action service technician.

Yes, my inspection will include a tuning (at least upper treble but probably the whole thing) and he will be paying.

I don't think minor normal seasonal humidity fluctuation will make a piano go out of tune in a matter of minutes. 

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2026 03:09
From: Keith Akins
Subject: 1980s Yamaha U3 tuning instability

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Also, the tuner/owner stated that he had tightened the plate bolts.

One thing that has occurred to me is whether this is a model of piano that is "hard to tune" like the S&S 1098, their 45" studio piano which is no longer made (I believe).  Could the U3 be like that? 

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022

Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2026 01:44
From: Keith Akins
Subject: 1980s Yamaha U3 tuning instability

Just to provide additional information...

He is a non-PTG piano tuner (now retired, I believe). So, he can successfully actually tune a piano. He may not be a real high level action service technician.

Yes, my inspection will include a tuning (at least upper treble but probably the whole thing) and he will be paying.

I don't think minor normal seasonal humidity fluctuation will make a piano go out of tune in a matter of minutes. 

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2026 03:09
From: Keith Akins
Subject: 1980s Yamaha U3 tuning instability

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Also, the tuner/owner stated that he had tightened the plate bolts.

One thing that has occurred to me is whether this is a model of piano that is "hard to tune" like the S&S 1098, their 45" studio piano which is no longer made (I believe).  Could the U3 be like that? 

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022

Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2026 01:44
From: Keith Akins
Subject: 1980s Yamaha U3 tuning instability

Just to provide additional information...

He is a non-PTG piano tuner (now retired, I believe). So, he can successfully actually tune a piano. He may not be a real high level action service technician.

Yes, my inspection will include a tuning (at least upper treble but probably the whole thing) and he will be paying.

I don't think minor normal seasonal humidity fluctuation will make a piano go out of tune in a matter of minutes. 

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2026 03:09
From: Keith Akins
Subject: 1980s Yamaha U3 tuning instability

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Keith,

To me this sounds like an issue of basic tuning and piano dynamics.  I would suspect that, if you were to tune this piano you might not find anything wrong and what the customer is noticing is normal tortional or tensional changes during tuning or perhaps string inharmonicity.

Also, I would advise the customer not to over-lubricate wound bass strings as the lube might reach the coils and kill the strings.

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Is there a DampChaser system in the piano?

Keith,

To me this sounds like an issue of basic tuning and piano dynamics.  I would suspect that, if you were to tune this piano you might not find anything wrong and what the customer is noticing is normal tortional or tensional changes during tuning or perhaps string inharmonicity.

Also, I would advise the customer not to over-lubricate wound bass strings as the lube might reach the coils and kill the strings.

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------

Received a call for help from a non-PTG individual who has done some tuning and tunes their own piano. This U3 is their own piano not one of their customer's.

The problem is that particularly in the top section starting above the tenor they experience tuning instability such that while they are tuning as they check lower notes, many of those notes have drifted. 

Customer states: Tuning pins are adequately tight. Bearing points have been lubed. Piano nominally at pitch. Positive general integrity of soundboard and bridges. Piano not being moved.

Since this occurs during the tuning process, seasonal humidity fluctuations are irrelevant. 

What I'm wondering is if there is anyone who has experienced/observed a similar situation and if so if you determined a cause. 

Also I'm wondering about the actual design structure of the piano. Almost all vertical pianos do not have a plate flange for the pinblock. Is that the case here?  Any other design/construction details that could be of interest? Also I wonder if negative bearing could be a possible culprit? Maybe excessive or inadequate angle over the v-bar from incorrect pressure bar adjustment?

I want to be as equipped as possible prior to my visit to that piano, so all comments welcome.

------------------------------
Keith Akins RPT
Menominee MI
(715) 775-0022
------------------------------