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> Tuning up a piano from zero is a lot harder than it seems. As the tension on the cast iron frame increases it deforms a bit, enough to de-tune everything you'
by xavieralexandre 8y ago
> Tuning up a piano from zero is a lot harder than it seems. As the tension on the cast iron frame increases it deforms a bit, enough to de-tune everything you've done up to that point. So the only way to get this done is to tune the whole thing up gradually and to pace yourself so you don't end up overstretching part of the frame or end up in a never ending cycle of de-tunings.
Like tensioning a bicycle wheel! Easy and rewarding process, highly recommended.
- Tor3 8y agoOnce upon a time I was the de-facto bicycle mechanic for my local bicycle club. I built (well, put togeter) a lot of bicycle wheels. And yes I would pluck the spokes and listen when I was tensioning up the wheels. And they came out pretty good.
- jacquesm 8y agoThat's exactly how I do it. I rebuilt a tandem this year and the wheels had to be re-spoked, tuning the spokes is a great way to get equal tension all around. It is quite amazing how strong a well spoked wheel is, equally, how fast a wheel will go to pieces if the spokes are not tensioned properly. For tandem bikes a regular steel wheel is the best, not stainless (it is too soft). There are expensive spoke tension meters but your ear works just as good if you check the tension on a known good wheel with the same spoke thickness and length and use that as a reference. It's a fun job and this too will take you some time the first time around.
- snarfy 8y agoAlso like putting strings on a guitar with a floating (floyd rose) bridge.
- NikkiA 8y agoWell, except that with a FR you can shim the bridge in the recess to it's 'null point' and it cuts ages off the tuning process. Sadly pianos don't really have that luxury.