2/23/2012 1
Steve Brady, RPT
External factors
Stage lighting
HVAC
Outdoor concerts
Sun on the strings—also a factor in home
tunings
Seasonal changes
Humidity control
Tighten plate and pinblock screws
Seat strings at hitch pins
Seat strings on bridge
Tighten/straighten tuning pin coils
Tuning Technique
Analyze the existing tuning
Tuning hammer technique
The right tools for the job
A default hammer technique
Three cardinal rules
Move the tuning pin in its entire length
Move the tuning pin in the smallest possible
increments
Find the center and leave the pin “centered ”
How hard to hit?
Testing the string
The forearm smash
Lag: Pitch changes before tuning pin moves
in pinblock . The tuning pin movement lags
behind pitch change.
Zero lag: Pitch changes exactly when tuning
pin moves in the pinblock
Negative lag: When tuning pin moves in
pinblock before pitch changes
Tuning - pin tightness vs string - bearing friction Tight tuning pins increase lag
Low bearing friction increases lag
Tuning pin bushings decrease lag
Looser tuning pins decrease lag
High bearing friction decreases lag
Understanding the concept of lag and
knowing how to approach different lag
characteristics are important for solid and
efficient tuning
Dealing With Low and Negative Lag
String lubricants: Use with caution
Lifting strings at understring felts
Tuning hammer position: Move closer to 3:00 on grands, 9:00 - 11:00 on verticals
Tuning hammer technique: With low lag, less overshoot, less centering of pin. With negative lag, no overshoot, no centering of pin.
Dealing With High Lag
Tuning hammer position: Closer to 12:00
Expect more overshoot
Centering the pin is critical
Tuning hammer technique: Push down on
tuning lever when raising pitch to decrease
overshoot and increase control
Why touch up?
When appropriate?
How long do you have?
Troubleshooting Instability
Hammers fitted to strings?
Strings seated?
String camming
Unisons
Dead center or “on the edge ”?
