Pianotech

 This is a new piano that I tuned and lowered the pitch on a month ago since it was about 8 cents sharp. Owner is reporting a dissonance between notes in octave 2 and 3  Octave 2 notes are E F F# G  and octave 3 are D# F F# G G# A  . I fixed several unisons / notes that she had issues with when I was there last month. I am wondering if the piano just needs to settle down until strings are stable or if I ought to check string level, hammer strike point for cupping, seat strings at bridge pins, check damper contact.  Pianist is experienced and plays lots of classical Bach so perhaps the regulation needs tweaked and hammer backchecking and letoff need adjustment. Just retuning these notes may not be enough


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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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So, you're trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

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Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
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New Yamaha's are all over the place but around 8¢ sharp out of the box. They leave the factory tuned to around 442. The GB1 is actually a very nice entry level piano. But out of the box, as with most new pianos, it needs some work. Full prep includes tightening all action screws at a minimum. Seating strings at the bridge is another topic all together but this is not normally needed. If you want to bring it to life, yes, go in for a full regulation and pay some attention to voicing. And give it some break-in time. Like I said, with a little work these can be very nice pianos. But it is, nevertheless, an entry level piano so keep expectations in check.

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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James,

How new is the piano? I don't lower pitch on new pianos. They're shipped tuned pretty sharp of A440. I'll leave them where they are. They'll get to A440 over time. 

A month ago the RH was quite a bit different, at least where I live. If I do a tuning during a time when a change in RH is imminent, I'll leave the first few tenor notes a bit sharp. I do this anticipating the change that is inevitable. It minimizes how out of tune it will be after the change. (Theoretically, at least. Your piano will change more, being on the lower end of Yamaha grands.) 

Always float the pitch to minimize seasonal pitch changes. Anticipate.

If you lowered pitch on a new piano right in the middle of a seasonal change, I'd consider offering them a discounted or free tuning. Make it quick and better, and explain it'll need tuning again in 3 months (assuming it's new).

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John Formsma
New Albany MS

"Sneak up on optimal."
--Ron Nossaman
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I believe the piano was tuned before delivery and do not know how much prep it had. Local dealer was pretty cleaned out because of the supply change shortages but the client did select it after playing it. She traded in a Yamaha studio. It has been through our humid summer and the client is aware about keeping a stable environment, She has owned a number of Yamahas. Not sure why she didnt shop for something bigger with a true Sostenuto .I will try a few easier things on it like checking the stack screws, checking string level. Since Yamaha created a job ticket I will have to talk to them to get approval for anything involved like a regulation. I will say that the action played easily and it sounded good in the room it was in

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-27-2022 19:59
From: John Formsma
Subject: Yamaha GB-1 PE 5'

James,

How new is the piano? I don't lower pitch on new pianos. They're shipped tuned pretty sharp of A440. I'll leave them where they are. They'll get to A440 over time.

A month ago the RH was quite a bit different, at least where I live. If I do a tuning during a time when a change in RH is imminent, I'll leave the first few tenor notes a bit sharp. I do this anticipating the change that is inevitable. It minimizes how out of tune it will be after the change. (Theoretically, at least. Your piano will change more, being on the lower end of Yamaha grands.)

Always float the pitch to minimize seasonal pitch changes. Anticipate.

If you lowered pitch on a new piano right in the middle of a seasonal change, I'd consider offering them a discounted or free tuning. Make it quick and better, and explain it'll need tuning again in 3 months (assuming it's new).

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John Formsma
New Albany MS

"Sneak up on optimal."
--Ron Nossaman
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