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TECHNICAL^SUPPIY DEPARTMENT
William Braid White, Technical Editor
back after another tuner has entirely failed,
I am sure to find tuning pins loose.
The Old-Timer's Fate
"Here is more evidence against the modern
system of house heating. I was recently asked
Tuner, in Analysis of the Situation, Points Out That Majority of Loose Tuning Pin to restore a piano which evidently had been
Troubles To-day Are Due Primarily to Modern Heating Systems
made some time between 1825 and 1835. Be-
fore I took the old piano apart I was very care-
ful to note every detail of the construction. It
by
the
pioneers
of
the
industry
(and
I
will
HE following letter is written by the
chairman of the Indianapolis Division of grant, in addition, the advantage of modern was delivered to my house some time in June
the National Association of Piano Tuners, construction methods), tuning pins in wooden and went through the Summer months in fine
and deals, in frank and incisive language, with wrest planks under modern conditions would shape. Thirty days after the heat was turned
the causes of loose tuning pins and instability loosen up just the same. No pieces of wood on in the Fall, however, the pin block showed
of tune, from the standpoint of a man who ever made or put together will keep pins tight some cracks. (I have furnace heat, by the
deals with these things in the home where the under the heating conditions of to-day, where way.) Before I could stop the drying-out
trouble begins and who has been studying moisture content runs from 85 per cent to 95 process by means of a sufficient quantity of
per cent in the Summer to as low as 20 per water placed around the house to evaporate
them in that environment for many years.
No one can doubt any longer that piano cent in the Winter. The fibres of the wood into the atmosphere, there were two large
construction faces something like a crisis in around each pin become so crushed that even cracks the length of the whole pin-block, wide
respect of this question of instability. Mr. when they have dried out to normal extent enough to drop a match into. This block was
Poarch has laid his finger on a place that has the wood cannot return to its original size. made in one piece, not built-up like the mod-
been sore for a long time, and what he says This is just as when a piece of wood has been ern planks.
"Such experiences might not be considered
will be echoed, I think, by many tuners. Here hit with a hammer and bruised or dented. It
will recover to some extent, if treated by the conclusive against the heating systems in vogue.
is his letter:
"For some time I have been sitting back, application of moisture to make it swell, but But there is more evidence on hand. If one
watching and keeping in close touch with some it will never come back to the smooth surface brings into a modern house one of the old
square pianos, which has rested peacefully for
vital questions concerning the piano, its manu- it had originally.
"Let me adduce some further facts in sup- years in a stove or open-grate heated house,
facturing and merchandising problems. It
it is sure soon to begin to cut up like a bronco,
seems to me that, instead of there being a port of my opinion.
staying in tune only two weeks at a time.
solution in sight, the whole matter has drifted
Stove vs. Furnace
Then, in about ninety days, a string here and
into a still worse state of misunderstanding.
"When I first started to tune for the public,
"When, however, the facts are faced honestly twenty years and more ago, I wa.> sent out there will slip, until at the end of six months
the thing looks like an unkempt wire fence.
we may arrive at a solid foundation.
into places where the stove for heating held
"It is evident that something must be done
"Tuning is just now passing through a re- full sway, instead of to up-to-date homes
in
this situation, with the cards face up on
constructive program which promises a little where modern heating was used. In none of
better understanding. But it will never be the former places did I ever encounter a piano the table. If the whole thing were fairly
settled until information has taken the place with loose tuning pins. To-day, sometimes, I ventilated I have no doubt as to the outcome,
of selfishness, ignorance and over-claimed go back and tune one of those old instruments which would benefit everybody.
"I am not trying to furinsh an alibi to
merit.
and invariably find it in a condition much better
"What I say is this. No piano can be kept than I had expected. And those houses still manufacturers. I am rather bringing an in-
dictment against both manufacturers and mer-
in shape without four to six tunings a year have their stoves for heating.
chandisers, because they have not taken the
and possibly more, if it is to be kept to pitch
"I have it thrown in my face every day that
somewhere within reason, in modern heating pianos are 'not built to-day as good as they facts into account and dealt openly with them,
1
conditions, where the heat sources are steam, once were.' I know that this is untrue, but because they have not in this respect dealt
hot water, hot air, or oil burners (the last- it is hopeless to try to explain the facts, even fairly with the customer. As Frank E. Norton,
named being more like a dry kiln than anything to the average self-respecting salesman, much of the American Steel & Wire Co., once said:
'We have not taken the public into our con-
else).
more to a public devoid of understanding and fidence.' And my comment on this is that
"And it is right here that the question of, even interest.
»>ur industry is digging its own grave prema-
loose tuning pins comes in to worry both the-
"As further evidence, I have known not one turely because it will not progress. It need*
manufacturer and the merchant.
but hundreds of cases where the ^owners of
"And I say that when this question is Stove-heated houses became progressive, had to clean house, thoroughly.
analyzed it is found to rest on one thing only, the old place remodeled, rooms done over,
; and that neither workmanship nor materials.
stairways changed, and a furnace installed.
Houses and Heat
What happens? Why, my reputation as a tuner
"Twenty-five years ago loose pins were al- with these people at once begins to slip. They
Associate, American Society of Mechanical
most unheard of. Why? Because in those days think that I am not doing the kind of work
Engineers; Chairman, Wood Industries
, the average homo was not equipped with a 1 once did. Later on, if and when I am called
Division, A. S. M. E.; Member, American
highly efficient heating system such as we have
Physical Society; Member, National Piano
to-day, although such systems were in exist-
Technicians' Association.
EASY TO REPAIR
ence. Now, to-day the average American home
is not only equipped with such a system, but
Consulting Engineer to
DAMAGED FINISHES
'.• is much smaller, adding to the troubles of
OU can easily repair the damage
the Piano Industry
to varnished surfaces through fol-
•: pianos by subjecting them to still greater
lowing the instructions given in our
•,:, changes. We all know that pianos ought to
Tonally and Mechanically Correct Scales
book "How to Repair Damage to Var-
Toaal and Technical Surreys of Product
t be placed as far as possible away from heat
nished Surfaces." Dealers everywhere
Tonal Betterment Work In Factories
i sources, but we also know that they are often
are enthusiastic over the ease with
placed very close to these. I have found pianos
which this is done—and the losses
References to manufacturer* of unquestioned
which have been eliminated. A copy
• standing over hot-air registers or over heating
position In Industry
will
be
sent
to
you
free
upon
request.
i, pipes beneath the floor, or over a basement
'heating system.
For particulars, mddress
: "Now, even if the finest virgin timber could
209 South State Street, CHICAGO
loos W. 8th St.
Kansas City, Mo.
•still be had and were treated exactly as it was
Interior Heating Systems in the Home
and Their Effect on the Pianoforte
T
William Braid White
Y
The M. L. Campbell Co.
Punchings
Washers
Bridle Straps
581437th Ave.
George W. Braunsdor£, Inc.
Piano Tuners
Also—Felts
anil
Cloths, Furnished
in Any Quantity
Direct Manufacturers of
and Technicians
are In demand. The trade needs tuners, retru-
lators and repairmen. Practical Shop School.
Send for Catalog M
Y. M. C. A. Piano Technicians School
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Woodside, L. I., N. Y.
39
1421 Arch St.
Philadelphia, Pa.