Anyone near western CT able/willing to tune an overdamper piano? Is so, please contact me off list. Thanks.

don't everyone jump at once

Try here:
http://www.ptg.org

--Cy--

I don't see what the big deal is. You show up, explain the shortcomings of this kind of instrument in general, then see if this specimen is tunable. If so, tune it, if not, charge what you have to and leave. If parts are broken, fix as best as possible using parts form the extreme upper or lower register if you have to. Charge your fee for that, too. Let the owner know these are the perils of having bought such a piano. In any case, be sure to tell them they need to upgrade.

I have tuned some over-dampers that were much more satisfying to tune than some "conventional" pianos I have encountered.

I have one Blüthner over-damper in my clientele which is a killer piano that will blow the socks off of most other pianos, especially post-WW II North American brands. I am talking all aspects - touch, tone, tuneability and, yes, damping. It just goes to show: the principle (over-damping action) is not the problem, the problem is in the design and execution.

There are a few tricks to make tuning over-dampers easier, and they have been discussed on this forum or another.

So - fear not, Sir Lancelot - venture out and slay the dragon!

Over dampers are only hard because some tuners can't think past the habit of using the felt strip all the time. Using Paps wedges to tune these old pianos makes it a relatively easy job. The length and stiffness of a Paps wedge allows you to feel and pluck the strings you can't see as you go along. Some of the older Over Dampers require pulling the Action out like a grand if you must insist on putting in a felt strip, making extra work and wasted time.
The pin blocks in some of these old pianos are very nice to work with.
How do I know....In my 49 years of tuning I have tuned thousands of them!!
I personally don't recommend the customer spending big repair money on these pianos. Many of these older pianos have great sentimental value to elderly people so if you rubbish the piano be prepared for the customer to tell her/his friends that you are a lousy tuner and could not be recommended!!
Some jobs you have to bite your lip...keep your mouth shut and tell the customer what a lovely old piano it is!! then wait for all her elderly friends to ring you with better pianos to work on!
Robin Stevens ARPT
South Australia