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MAY
TH& MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
23, 1925"
13
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Conducted By William Braid White
Still More Reports From Tuners in the
Field on Loose Tuning Pin Conditions
years; and the only conceivable explanation lies
in the suggestion I have just made. Piano men
whose opinion is worthy of respect agree with
me that the cause is to be found here, and that
is why it is so necessary to get all the facts
J. C. Miller, of Lincoln, Neb., and Alvah Baker, of Rochester, Ind., Tell of Their Experiences in one can.
This Line and the Remedies Which They Use in Meeting Them—A Letter From
An Indiana Experience
George L. Cheney on the Question of Loose Ivories in Pianos
A further experience, from a reader in Roch-
ester, Ind., is quoted, simply in order to swell
H E discussion of loose tuning pins shows their salaried workmen. I cannot speak there- the mass of evidence and to show that we are
no signs of abating, I am glad to say, for fore with any authority as to loose tuning pins not dealing with a mere sectional condition.
there is no question whatever in my mind in new pianos.
"I have been reading the letters from brother
that we have awakened here something which
"But as to loose tuning pins in old and worn tuners in various parts of the country about
we shall not be able to let rest until it has pianos, that is quite another story.
loose tuning pins and am led to tell you of my
been thoroughly investigated. There is not
"Here we have something universally im- own recent experiences. I have been in the
the slightest doubt that the question is funda- portant and fundamental, something which, if it piano tuning business for fourteen years.
mental and that piano makers everywhere are is not always paramount, at least is always im-
"Some weeks ago I was called in by a lawyer
themselves suffering from a state of affairs mediate and inexorable. The practical tuner in this part of the country to tune a grand
which is really not altogether their fault. Tuners meets with it constantly and must deal with it, piano which he told me very much needed my
who have discovered the facts and are helping either temporarily or efficiently.
attention. When I came to work on it I found
to give them publicity are in reality doing for
"I have little to add to the advice on this that I could not do anything at all with it on
the manufacturers a definite and positive good. phase of the subject which has been offered in account of loose tuning pins. Not merely a
Manufacturers have enough to irritate them, recent isssues of The Review, but dare to say few, but positively all of them, were loose.
heaven knows, but when they themselves have that neither larger pins nor brass bushings have
"I asked a few questions about the age of
been unaware, as in this case, how far the evil ever appealed to me with much force. Through the instrument, and to my astonishment learned
has gone, they will undoubtedly welcome the more than fifty years of incidental trouble with that it had been bought only a year ago last
efforts of those who are striving to get the loose pins, I have used almost invariably solid
December. That is to say, it had only been
facts out into the open. For it is much better maple, oak or other hardwood shavings, the out, when I saw it, a little over a year. It
to face the facts now than to have recurring quantity used depending on the case in hand, seemed to me that this was something like a
and ever more serious trouble for years to and being greater or lesser according to the record for a grand piano. Of course, like most
come.
conditions which have presented themselves. tuners, I have found upright pianos developing
"But, in no circumstances whatever, will I loose tuning-pins after a short spell of use, but
Joseph C. Miller, of Lincoln, Neb., whose con-
tributions to this department are among its or do I drive a pin further on to its fragile very few grands in like predicament. In the
Ijrightest jewels, and whose experience in length seat. Every pin should be turned in, on its case I am describing they were positively all
and in variety is not surpassed in this country, own thread, or, as commonly said, should be loose, and I had to tell my customer that if he
had a guarantee from the manufacturer he could
if indeed it is equaled, has very kindly respond- 'run in.'
ed to my urgings, and has submitted the fol-
"Frankly, however, as regards new pianos obtain a new piano on the strength of it. This,
lowing observations, based upon his own per- once more, I simply cannot believe that any as a matter of fact, he was able to do, and he
sonal findings* When I remind my readers manufacturers are deliberately disgracing their now has the new instrument, but it has been
that Mr. Miller has for some years been suf- reputations, as might be gathered from some installed for so short a time that one cannot
fering from progressive failure of eye-sight, of the charges which have recently been made yet judge whether it is likely to develop the
which makes any writing most irksome to him, in the columns of the technical department. old trouble.
they will the better appreciate his taking the
"J. C. Miller, Lincoln, Neb."
"Somewhat later I should like to submit to
trouble to assist the ventilation of this impor-
Answer and Comment
you some ideas about repairing cracked lower
tant question of loose pins. Says he: "Loose
In thanking Mr. Miller and expressing the bass bridges. During the last five years I have
Tuning Pins in New Pianos! The very excla- hope that he will write to the department had a good deal of experience on various pianos
mation seems so absurd, and it may be added more often than he does and on other questions afflicted in this way, and while no doubt this
impossible, that I have some doubts as to its since his opinion is always valuable and often question has been threshed out in this depart-
existence and still greater doubts as to its prev- decisive, I should like to say that undoubtedly ment ere this, I should like, if I may, to bring
alence.
no piano manufacturer is deliberately putting it up again. So please look out for a letter
(Continued on page 14)
"What manufacturers guilty of such gross out pianos defective in the pin-block. Such in-
carelessness could hope for a permanent reward sanity, as Mr. Miller says, is simply unthink-
able. What is much more likely to be the true
from that policy?
8end Postal for Free Sample
"But let us not invade the manufacturer's explanation of facts which cannot be ignored or
We arc specialists in this work, which every dealer and tuner
needs. All work done by experts with most modern machinery,
right to do just what he pleases and to take denied is that pianos have been gradually get-
and correct spacing Is guaranteed. Replaced keys appear
exactly as whan Instrument left factory.
any risk he is willing to assume in order to ting into a bad condition at a critical point
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fect in current output of pianos, either of the thing has been going wrong. ;I am quite certain
present or of recently past time. My own field that the average of workmanship in piano
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