pitch too low

Hi, what instruments are they exactly? They must have been in a dry environment, untouched for years I imagine... anyway, raise the tuning... even by ten Hz at a time... if the strings are still in good condition, they shouldn't break... And check the tuning periodically during the first few days as it will tend to drop...

If the strings are not in good condition... it's faster to just change them all.

Hello,

As a first step, I recommend checking the tuning stability because otherwise... it is all useless.

If the soundboard and the bridges are in good condition, observe if the strings show traces of oxidation or rust.

If everything is positive, raise the tuning little by little and 're-tune' it several times in a row in order to stabilize the new leveling of the strings.

Proceed with caution...

thanks for the answers;

it involves various instruments; all uprights, of different brands.

The problem is the time elapsed since the last tuning.

to the question: "but when was the last tuning done?", I tend to hear responses generally like 7, 8, 10 years ago!!!!!

So my fear is primarily the risk of string breakage.

Antares 86 suggests increasing by about ten Hz, but obviously, despite the good stability of the pins, settling is inevitable.

so I imagine several "sessions" will be needed to achieve a satisfactory tuning.

Last question: tuning at 420 Hz, is it possible to reach 440? or is it better to settle for a good compromise?

Regards and thanks for the help

Well obviously it won't hold right at the beginning...from 420 bring it to 430 and see how it goes...

Unfortunately in Italy, the culture, knowledge, and respect towards the piano are not like in America.

Across the ocean, the piano is tuned regularly, in an almost... maniacal way.

Not only that; the pianist has an interest in knowing and understanding the instrument, and from this follows optimal care and maintenance.

I am writing this to connect to the fact that here, tuning is performed on average... when the piano has become unlistenable.

Naturally, I exclude professional musical environments where tuning and maintenance are followed and programmed ad hoc.

I close by answering your final question:

Of course, if the structure is sound, it is possible to gradually bring the tuning back to 440 Hz.

In fact, the modern piano is built to provide maximum potential specifically to that standard.

thanks again.

When the piano is not too old, you can always raise the pitch. The risk of breaking strings is always there, and the client can be warned before it happens so it won't be a surprise. Especially the old bass strings break easily.

Anyway, you are right about the habit in Italy of not having the piano tuned regularly.

Certainly the state of the steel is important; if it is in a stage of plastic deformation (because it is old, already yielded, etc.), it is enough to touch the ankle and it will snap off.

If the strings, on the other hand, are still elastic (whether oxidized or not does not matter), the risk of breakage is lower provided that, and no one has mentioned this, the tension on the strings does not exceed 70/75 kg, and this depends on the design of the piano itself. Tuning a 100-year-old Steinway is a different matter compared to tuning an IBach or high-tension upright pianos.... in these cases it is advisable to change and optimize the strings, in addition to using the tuning key with caution, especially on the bass crossings and on the trebles.

Without needing to measure the length of the strings, it is enough to press the long strings with a finger to understand whether it is a very tight scale or not..

thanks to everyone for the answers.