Piano Tuning

[bubs_42]

I called in a pro to tune my piano, and OM to think he does this all day long. He ears have to be burnt by the end of the day.  

[crunchee]

You probably won't want to read these articles then, as they're basically 'tempered tuning' for guitar, similar to how it's used for pianos, with the associated changes to the nut and bridge.  I'm just posting them for FYI purposes...they're not strictly advertisements for the Buzz Feiten System (no affiliation BTW, I don't use it, and I don't have a guitar that has it), but (as always) use your own good judgement when reading them.  The first one is in .pdf format:

https://schematicheaven.net/faq/buzz_feiten_tuning.pdf

https://www.roadiemusic.com/blog/do-you-need-a-buzz-feiten-tuning-system/

 

[hamerhead]

1 hour ago, bubs_42 said:

I called in a pro to tune my piano....

One of the smartest calls you'll ever make.

[bubs_42]

32 minutes ago, hamerhead said:

One of the smartest calls you'll ever make.

He is two hours in, it has been a LONG time since it has been tuned. 

[hamerhead]

We have my wife's 'family' piano, a gift from her Gramma years ago. It was a fairly inexpensive one, and time really hasn't been kind. I offered to replace the guts with the electronic equivalent (OK, maybe something better) so it could be more than a picture stand, but her ain't havin' it.

I mean, you could fit some full range monitors, a nice pair of subs and a good 500 or 600W amp in a cab that size, and it would still be lighter than that damn boat anchor is now.

[velorush]

We had a pro in to work on our church's baby grand the week of my daughter's wedding.  We struck up a conversation and when he learned I worked on guitars he began showing me the "issues" with our piano.  The bridge is shot and it's not really worth fixing.  He has been back twice in the interest of making it work as long as it is practical.  This guy rebuilds Steinways and the like.

As @hamerhead suggests, my aim is for an electronic replacement - though to satisfy a certain portion of the crowd, the (at least) "furniture" portion would need to remain. What I have suggested is a nice stage piano (Nord or Yamaha, perhaps) - push the existing piano forward (toward the audience) about a foot and set the keyboard up just behind.  Since the actual keyboard is obscured from the audience (by the piano), no one would know the difference until suddenly the music included multi-voiced synth and orchestral accompaniment.  

[Dutchman]

I’ve got a friend that builds pipe organs for large church’s as his main business but tunes piano’s for quick cash. Amazing guy, he’s gotta be pushing 80 but still rolling the pipes and tuning them by hand. Builds every piece by hand for every organ. He only uses tuning forks. I don’t think he even owns a tuner...

[RobB]

Is it true that all BFT-equipped guitars/basses played in a group have to have the system to play in tune with each other?

[Dutchman]

8 hours ago, RobB said:

Is it true that all BFT-equipped guitars/basses played in a group have to have the system to play in tune with each other?

I have never noticed anything of that nature. I think it’s more so in tune with the instrument it’s on. 
Be a neat study to test if there is! Right now I do not have any guitars with Buzz’s system on them. But if I get a chance I’ll do a comparison on my Peterson Stroboscope!   

[velorush]

8 hours ago, RobB said:

Is it true that all BFT-equipped guitars/basses played in a group have to have the system to play in tune with each other?

I investigated this ad-nauseum when I was shopping for older Suhr guitars (that happened to be BFT-equipped).  I was never able to come to a reasonable conclusion so I threw my hands up and decided to drop the while thing.  The threads on the topic are legion and each one as convincing as the other supporting or denying the fact. 

The information age has its drawbacks. 

[Toadroller]

How many piano tuners are there in Cleveland?  This used to be a common interview question in unrelated industries (engineering), to elicit thought processes and problem solving capabilities from candidates.  Or, I suppose, to expose BS artists ...who have their own use in an organization.

I watched an intriguing documentary about a small, renowned shop (and apprentices/volunteers) in the LA area restoring a Steinway.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00IQ43PHC/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

We also had a "family" baby grand, early 20th century that went to my sister.  It was decades out of tune and she put a couple grand into it.  Still sounds horrible.

[bubs_42]

He was here for 3hrs, because the piano was tuned so low. He got is super close and didn't break any strings, so he was happy. One more time in 6 Months to bring it to pitch and we can keep it on a schedule. 

[soli'd]

Another lifetime ago I had a job hosting incentive travel to exotic locales.  I remember hosting a small group on Richard Branson's island in the BVI.  One afternoon a guy shows up in a water-taxi, steps onto the dock with a small satchel, said he was there to tune the piano.  Turns out he was just using some small hand tools and an iPad app, took about 2 hrs.  I asked him about his gig, he said he worked about 4-5hrs a day, about 10 days a month, just island hopping around the Caribbean in shades and flip-flops tuning pianos with an iPad. I remember thinking, my job's pretty sweet right now, but this dude has it figured out.

[mrjamiam]

1 hour ago, soli'd said:

Another lifetime ago I had a job hosting incentive travel to exotic locales.  I remember hosting a small group on Richard Branson's island in the BVI.  One afternoon a guy shows up in a water-taxi, steps onto the dock with a small satchel, said he was there to tune the piano.  Turns out he was just using some small hand tools and an iPad app, took about 2 hrs.  I asked him about his gig, he said he worked about 4-5hrs a day, about 10 days a month, just island hopping around the Caribbean in shades and flip-flops tuning pianos with an iPad. I remember thinking, my job's pretty sweet right now, but this dude has it figured out.

A guy like that might be able to tuna fish.

[The Shark]

14 hours ago, RobB said:

Is it true that all BFT-equipped guitars/basses played in a group have to have the system to play in tune with each other?

I had a Tom Anderson Cobra years ago.  We played a gig for Octoberfest at an outdoor venue and my buddy kept telling me to tune.  I was in perfect tune, but he could hear it.  We tried it again at practice and it was the same thing.  But this is a guy that liked coiled cords before anyone ever knew Eric Johnson.  I got rid of the guitar because he could hear it.  I do keep my G string a little flat though...