Pianotech

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Timothy,

You'll find this is due to  bad down bearing -- either inadequate  or reverse. Those conditions set up an independent high pitch vibration within the flat space between the two bridge pins. Option # 2. The entire string is not in a neutral straight line from tuning pin to hitch pin.

Roger

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

I would also try shaping the hammers if they have string cuts or flat strike points. A little voicing will help but I also think you should follow Wims advice to seat strings. 

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2024 10:28
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Intolerable unisons?

Timothy,

You'll find this is due to  bad down bearing -- either inadequate  or reverse. Those conditions set up an independent high pitch vibration within the flat space between the two bridge pins. Option # 2. The entire string is not in a neutral straight line from tuning pin to hitch pin.

Roger

------------------------------
Roger Gable RPT
Gable Piano
Everett WA
(425) 252-5000

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2024 20:45
From: Timothy Edwards
Subject: Intolerable unisons?

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

------------------------------
Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
(740) 517-7636
------------------------------

Agressive sugar coating with a wide angle sharp point like a compass point needle in the groves can work wonders.  A low angle angel shot method works well as is quiue safe. Doesn't take much time and the effect sweetens the tone and makes unisons much more easy to tune.    I wish I had figured out this method 45 years ago when I started tuning!

I would also try shaping the hammers if they have string cuts or flat strike points. A little voicing will help but I also think you should follow Wims advice to seat strings. 

Timothy,

You'll find this is due to  bad down bearing -- either inadequate  or reverse. Those conditions set up an independent high pitch vibration within the flat space between the two bridge pins. Option # 2. The entire string is not in a neutral straight line from tuning pin to hitch pin.

Roger

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Thanks to all for the help.

David --- what is "A low angle angel shot "?   I'm assuming it's a low angle prick with a single needle, but what is the "angel shot"?

-- Tim

Agressive sugar coating with a wide angle sharp point like a compass point needle in the groves can work wonders.  A low angle angel shot method works well as is quiue safe. Doesn't take much time and the effect sweetens the tone and makes unisons much more easy to tune.    I wish I had figured out this method 45 years ago when I started tuning!

I would also try shaping the hammers if they have string cuts or flat strike points. A little voicing will help but I also think you should follow Wims advice to seat strings. 

Timothy,

You'll find this is due to  bad down bearing -- either inadequate  or reverse. Those conditions set up an independent high pitch vibration within the flat space between the two bridge pins. Option # 2. The entire string is not in a neutral straight line from tuning pin to hitch pin.

Roger

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts. 

Thanks to all for the help.

David --- what is "A low angle angel shot "?   I'm assuming it's a low angle prick with a single needle, but what is the "angel shot"?

-- Tim

Agressive sugar coating with a wide angle sharp point like a compass point needle in the groves can work wonders.  A low angle angel shot method works well as is quiue safe. Doesn't take much time and the effect sweetens the tone and makes unisons much more easy to tune.    I wish I had figured out this method 45 years ago when I started tuning!

I would also try shaping the hammers if they have string cuts or flat strike points. A little voicing will help but I also think you should follow Wims advice to seat strings. 

Timothy,

You'll find this is due to  bad down bearing -- either inadequate  or reverse. Those conditions set up an independent high pitch vibration within the flat space between the two bridge pins. Option # 2. The entire string is not in a neutral straight line from tuning pin to hitch pin.

Roger

Little Hobart Cable console I've serviced now for several years.  Every time I tune it, I cringe trying to tune unisons in the upper 2 1/2 octaves or so.  Doesn't sound like the "normal" false beats you get in these little pianos.  Almost sounds like clashing upper harmonics!  I just cannot seem to get these unisons to sound right.  Is it possible to have such inharmonicity within unisons?   Or is it possibly something adjacent being excited when played?  This customer isn't interested in investing much $$ in this piano.  It's in a little bed and breakfast, and just there for the patron's amusement, but I'm curious about this situation (for possible future reference).   Just drives me nuts.