Pianotech

I seldom refuse work, hence I get to tune most of the local square grands.

Since I have never had a customer even know what a historical temperament is much less request one I tune them to  EqT.  Using an ETD greatly simplifies tuning, assuming it is at 440, but then they seldom are, hence tuning can be quite a challenge.

One nice trick is to wear a bandana or other suitable cloth around your head as a head band, then  rest your forehead against the open lid.  This greatly relieves the stress on your back.

If you get stuck tuning one with oblong tuning pins you can find double headed tuning  levers/wrenches/hammers on ebay.

Don't forget to charge extra for the extra time it will take.

Be EXTREMELY careful if you have to take out the action as hammers love to stick up and get snapped off.

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Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 390-0512
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-28-2024 11:24
From: Richard Weinstein
Subject: Steinway square grand

Greetings

Anyone have information on, or experience tuning square grands? Do they tune the same as regular pianos? Pics attached below,

Thank you in advance!

We had one of these Steinway square grands in our store.  I decided to tune it.  Hours later I was done.  It sounded the same as when I started.  You have to remove the damper system, so the sustain will drive you nuts.  As Blaine said, be extra cautious about the hammers sticking up and be ready to trip the jacks.  They behave sort of like an upright action with broken bridle tapes- the jack will push the hammers forward if the wippen is allowed to drop.  The same thing with square grands, because they don't have the double-escapement wippen design.  Pulling out the action is easy- it has a handle on the keyframe.
If it's not at A440, I'm not sure I'd raise the pitch.  The curved bridge of a square grand is a poor design, especially in the treble, because the grain angle of the wood makes it prone to splitting.  A large pitch raise might make things worse there.
When I wanted to remove the stack on the action, I was befuddled.  There are no screws!  No way to remove it!  By accident, I discovered the secret.  You can't remove the keys because you can't lift them off the balance rail pin.  There's no clearance because the stack prevents it.  What to do?  Somewhere in the bass, a few keys have a groove carved into the bottom of the key stick, which begins at the balance rail hole.  This groove allows the key to be removed because when you lift it, the balance pin will enter the groove, and you don't need to lift it as far.  You can then pull the key stick out, except that you need to watch the backcheck, and tilt the key to the side to get it out.  As for removing the other keys, the keys you just removed create some space, and you can lift and tilt them to get them out.   Literally like a Chinese puzzle, you have to know which pieces to move first. 

If you need to replace the damper felt, beware that the original felt will need to be carefully cut, and is much softer than regular damper felt.  The clearances are very tight.  Maybe it was just my lack of expertise, but stopping the damper ring was a problem.  If the dampers are ok, it ain't broke and don't fix it.

Best of luck!

We had one of these Steinway square grands in our store.  I decided to tune it.  Hours later I was done.  It sounded the same as when I started.  You have to remove the damper system, so the sustain will drive you nuts.  As Blaine said, be extra cautious about the hammers sticking up and be ready to trip the jacks.  They behave sort of like an upright action with broken bridle tapes- the jack will push the hammers forward if the wippen is allowed to drop.  The same thing with square grands, because they don't have the double-escapement wippen design.  Pulling out the action is easy- it has a handle on the keyframe.
If it's not at A440, I'm not sure I'd raise the pitch.  The curved bridge of a square grand is a poor design, especially in the treble, because the grain angle of the wood makes it prone to splitting.  A large pitch raise might make things worse there.
When I wanted to remove the stack on the action, I was befuddled.  There are no screws!  No way to remove it!  By accident, I discovered the secret.  You can't remove the keys because you can't lift them off the balance rail pin.  There's no clearance because the stack prevents it.  What to do?  Somewhere in the bass, a few keys have a groove carved into the bottom of the key stick, which begins at the balance rail hole.  This groove allows the key to be removed because when you lift it, the balance pin will enter the groove, and you don't need to lift it as far.  You can then pull the key stick out, except that you need to watch the backcheck, and tilt the key to the side to get it out.  As for removing the other keys, the keys you just removed create some space, and you can lift and tilt them to get them out.   Literally like a Chinese puzzle, you have to know which pieces to move first. 

If you need to replace the damper felt, beware that the original felt will need to be carefully cut, and is much softer than regular damper felt.  The clearances are very tight.  Maybe it was just my lack of expertise, but stopping the damper ring was a problem.  If the dampers are ok, it ain't broke and don't fix it.

Best of luck!