Piano Tuning Tools and Info

[Eric]

I'm looking to get up to speed on piano tuning and minor service.
I have a background in music theory and physics, so I'll be able to
understand the concepts, but I've never dealt with mechanisms of
acoustic pianos before.

I could use recommendations for any websites that specialize in
tuning/service. But the primary thing that I'm looking for is a basic
tool kit, or a list of tools that I will need, and recommended
sources.

Any ideas?

[J.B. Wood]

Post by Eric
I'm looking to get up to speed on piano tuning and minor service.
I have a background in music theory and physics, so I'll be able to
understand the concepts, but I've never dealt with mechanisms of
acoustic pianos before.
I could use recommendations for any websites that specialize in
tuning/service. But the primary thing that I'm looking for is a basic
tool kit, or a list of tools that I will need, and recommended
sources.
Any ideas?

Hello, and a good reference book IMO on "everything piano" is Arthur
Reblitz's "Piano Servicing, Tuning and Rebuilding". There is also a
well-known work (about 100 years old!) that I've got in paperback by J.
Cree Fischer, "Piano Tuning - A Simple and Accurate Method for
Amateurs". (I think Fischer's book is available for online download.)

Keep in mind that piano tuning is not like tuning a guitar or violin.
It's not a matter of simply adjusting strings to a fundamental pitch.
And if you try and do it that way it won't work. You can blame the laws
of physics dealing with metal strings under relatively high tension,
string thickness and other factors. Listening for the correct beat rate
(prescribed by the tuning/temperament being used) and proper
manipulation of the tuning hammer/wrench are all part of the tuning
"art". Good luck, Sincerely,

[RVG]

I'm looking to get up to speed on piano tuning and minor service. I
have a background in music theory and physics, so I'll be able to
understand the concepts, but I've never dealt with mechanisms of
acoustic pianos before.
I could use recommendations for any websites that specialize in
tuning/service. But the primary thing that I'm looking for is a
basic tool kit, or a list of tools that I will need, and recommended
sources.
Any ideas?

It's a full-time qualified occupation, not the kind of thing you decide
to do on a Sunday afternoon without *years* of professional training.
A piano is 88 keys, each of them hits three strings. That's 264 strings...

Just consider the pressure in the woodwork. If something goes wrong,
either strings will break or... the piano itself will disintegrate.
In case you've never been lacerated by a 1.50m long steel string
breaking under the pressure, you may fancy a try.

[Peter Schepers]

Post by RVG
It's a full-time qualified occupation, not the kind of thing you decide
to do on a Sunday afternoon without *years* of professional training.

He could certainly try. It's only a mechanical device, not nursing. I
rough-tune my own upright, with a home-made tuning hammer, when it needs it.

Post by RVG
A piano is 88 keys, each of them hits three strings. That's 264 strings...

Wrong, only ~2/3 of the piano has 3 strings per key.

Post by RVG
Just consider the pressure in the woodwork. If something goes wrong,
either strings will break or... the piano itself will disintegrate.
In case you've never been lacerated by a 1.50m long steel string
breaking under the pressure, you may fancy a try.

There's not much "pressure" in the woodwork, most of the stress is on
the soundboard. At least "the piano itself will disintegrate" is good
for a laugh. The rest is FUD and not worthy of a response.

PS

[RVG]

Post by Peter Schepers

Post by RVG
It's a full-time qualified occupation, not the kind of thing you
decide to do on a Sunday afternoon without *years* of professional
training.

He could certainly try. It's only a mechanical device, not nursing. I
rough-tune my own upright, with a home-made tuning hammer, when it needs it.

Post by RVG
A piano is 88 keys, each of them hits three strings. That's 264 strings...

Wrong, only ~2/3 of the piano has 3 strings per key.

Post by RVG
Just consider the pressure in the woodwork. If something goes
wrong, either strings will break or... the piano itself will
disintegrate. In case you've never been lacerated by a 1.50m long
steel string breaking under the pressure, you may fancy a try.

There's not much "pressure" in the woodwork, most of the stress is on
the soundboard. At least "the piano itself will disintegrate" is good
for a laugh. The rest is FUD and not worthy of a response.

Still:
http://www.pianoworld.com/facts.htm

It's a fact "that the average medium size piano has about 230 strings,
each string having about 165 pounds of tension, with the combined pull
of all strings equaling approximately eighteen tons !
The total string tension in a concert grand is close to Thirty Tons!"

I haven't played an acoustic piano for years, sorry for the memory gaps. :/