Problems with my 129 Perzina

aido1968 · Post by **aido1968** » 09 Dec 2008, 13:17

I bought a 129 upright Perzina about 12 months ago from Dawsons.
It has had including the free tune from the shop 7 full tunes so far.
I keep it in a very stable temperate room with no central heating on.
The piano is never moved.
I play a few hours each day as it is my profession but certainly no heavy duty pounding.
Within a few weeks of tuning notes will drop and the octaves become unstable.
Has any one else encountered this or can offer an explanation.
My tuner who is quite superb believes the floating sound board to be a possible cause.
Its such a shame as the tone of this piano is wonderfull,however I cannot record it as it wanders to quickly.
Help please?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 09 Dec 2008, 13:24

It's only 'floating' at the bottom!

No it should not be unstable. After seven tunings it should be fine. What do Dawsons say about it?

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 09 Dec 2008, 14:57

What is a floating soundboard? It conjures up an exotic picture but I'm guessing the reality is more mundane?

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 09 Dec 2008, 19:41

If the floating bridge is degrading you will find that the Treble stays in tune but the Bass drops

Had this problem with a Yamaha the bridge gives up in the end you will know as the bass drops about 3rd and its back to the workshop for a repair not a job to do on site

The other factor is a rocking plank this is more of a grand problem but I have been told it happens on uprights but not as common I have suspected it on a few far east pianos but not confirmed

Barrie,

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 09 Dec 2008, 23:04

Barrie Heaton wrote:If the floating bridge is degrading you will find that the Treble stays in tune but the Bass drops

The 129 has a free edge to the soundboard as well as a suspended bridge. The soundboard also has a reverse crown- the theory being that sound radiates out the back of the piano. I've never known any attribute lead to tuning instability, so the possibility that you may have a rogue piano is a real one.

Having said that, Perzina pianos and their variously-badged brethren are the only make other than Yamaha that I have found to be 100%(-ish!) reliable. The only problem I've had with them are the odd plasic grommet or buffer falling out. Hardly serious stuff.

Dawsons have a lot of experience with Perzina. What's their diagnosis?