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Hi,

I had my piano tuned and I happened to be in the room while the tuner was working with my piano and noticed that when removing the tuning hammer from the pins during fine tuning, she would place it down on the piano plate.. but it kind of dropping a few millimetres above the plate. I was not really comfortable with that and wondered how many other tuners have this same practice.

I didn't say anything, but now I thought about it, I should have asked to handle the piano a bit better.

Should I place a cloth for her to put the hammer on so it won't scratch my piano?

I did check the plate after tuning and noticed some scratches on the gold plate. I don't know for sure if it was caused by the hammer but since the piano is only 1.5 years old since I bought it new, it is unlikely anything else caused the scratches.

Will the tuner be offended if I ask them to be more gentle with my piano?

Any other piano owners faced this before? how did you deal with it?

Its a grand piano by the way.



edit:

I am aware that I can get a different tuner if I am unhappy with this service but this tuning (and the next!) provided for free as part of purchase.

I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're saying. That said, as a general rule, piano technicians shouldn't be dropping things (accidents do happen, though). If you feel like your tuner is not respecting your property, try to think of a diplomatic way to address it.

check this picture out: http://fr.academic.ru/pictures/frwiki/66/Bechstein_D280_top_view.jpg

on the bottom right, there is a convenient place to put the tuning hammer while doing other adjustments.

To visualise: Its like casually placing your set of keys on top a brand new shiny car bonnet.

I see. Interesting. I just leave the thing on a tuning pin. Regardless, it probably won't hurt anything.

I feel your pain. My piano has such damage in that spot from tools being placed there over the years (but mine is not new).

>Should I place a cloth for her to put the hammer on so it won't scratch my piano?
Yes, at minimum. At maximum, ask for no-cost repairs to the damage done.

Best wishes-

I think you should share your concern with the person working on your piano. Even though the tunings are being provided "free" you paid for them when you bought the piano, so I don't think you should have to accept service you're not happy with.

Yes the technician might get a little ticked. They might feel you are overly picky. Do you have those sock things over the pedals? Many people (myself included) don't like the sock things because they sacrifice playability for an attempt to keep the piano perfect.

But the bottom line is: it's your piano. I think you can be as picky as you want to be. The consequence is a technician might not want to work for you or might charge more. But there is more than one piano technician in the world.

This is why a piano owner needs to be aware of who they allow to tune/serivce their piano. Sloppy technique that might cause scratching or scaring of a multi-thousand dollar piano is not good in my view, regardless of how good the tuner is...

On the other hand, there are risks involved in tuning/servicing a piano and scratching it is one of those risks.

By all means, mention this to your tuner next time they work on your piano. If it offends them, get another tuner. You are the customer and the one paying the bill.

Rick

I had a quilted pad made for me with my business name embroidered on it that I lay on a piano while doing tunings and other work. This allows me a place to set my tools and keep the piano protected while I work. Fits nicely in my tool box and tuning tools so its always with me.

I usually leave the tuning hammer on the pin while I make any adjustments.

While tuning a grand, the only things I might lay on the painted surface of the plate is my rubber mute and my plastic-handled screwdriver - gently, mind you. If I lay my tuning hammer down, I lay it across the top of a group of tuning pins so it never comes in contact with anything fragile. If I have to pull any other tools out, like when replacing a string or performing regulation work, In have a cloth tool roll that I roll out and lay everything on.

To me, dropping anything on the plate is irresponsible, and yes, I would find a tactful way to say something about it.

That being said, one of the less avoidable hazards when tuning is scratching the plate - usually at the struts - while tuning. The head of the tuning hammer is usually knurled, or at least has sharp edges. One slip, or failure to use a long enough tip, and the shoulder of the strut can get a ding in it. To me, while this is still not acceptable, it can be perceived as excusable.

Thanks to OP and the Pro's here who are sharing details, I can now act proactively to cut up piece of padded cloth and aprons to ensure no scratches appear.

I am thinking of a simple cover mirroring a "surgical cover" . It will cover the rim and everywhere that the tech may touch.

Accidents do happen, but professionals must endeavor to mitigate such accidents. Laying rubber mat or cushioned pads or anything and everything to minimize or eliminate incidental nicks and scratches is good sound business practice. It will impress the customers too, with such attention to details and such respect for another's cherished possession.

Tuning is a business transaction. If we will not let our friends and relatives touch our grand without some rules and guidelines, why would we allow a tech to do as he or she pleases without some discussions and the same ground rules?

Why would we expect "less" of a tech than a friend or a relative?

I would definitely speak to our tech about this and make sure there is no confusion as to how picky we are. We want absolutely no scratches or damages due to "accidents"; especially when such accidents can be anticipated and mitigated proactively.

Thanks again to OP and the helpful pros.

Thanks for all of your opinions. I'll provide some soft material next time for the tuner to place their tools if they want to rest it on top of my piano.

I did get those pedal socks but most of the time they are not used. I only use them in winter when the brass pedals are freezing cold! I actually stack the three pedal socks on the sustain pedal so my feet wont be cold.

I never thought about that possible use - great idea

imho that's hilarious..
You made my day.