This has to be how the factory technicians did it -- no tuning
charts, no marking keys, it is that simple!

Look for the longest string in the middle.  The note is F.  The
electromagnets are in two banks or rows.  The notes go upwards in
pitch from the center of each.  Unlike traditional pianos, the lowest
notes are in the center of the piano harp frame with the higher notes
progressing outwards to the left and right.  The electromagnet bank
divided would be lower left, lower right, upper left, upper right.

The low F is your starting point.  Strike the electromagnet bar and
every fourth note going to the left is an octave.  You will find them
on the lower magnet bank going left of center.  After tuning them, the
next note is F#, found on the upper bank, right side.  Tune the low
F# (next note up from the F) and proceed tuning the octaves which are
every fourth note to the right.

Back to the center again to find G, and is going to run the upper
electromagnet bank going to the left every fourth note to tune all of
the G's.  G# is on the lower bank and you will tune to the right, every
fourth note.  First circle is now complete.

The second cycle starts with A on the lower left bank tuning to the
left, A# on the upper right bank going to the right, B on the upper
left bank going to the left and C on the lower bank going to the right.

Getting tired?  The people at the Mills Company thought so!  You are
now beginning the third and last cycle.  C# is on the lower left bank
tuning the octaves to the left and you have only _three_ octaves to
tune!  D is on the upper right bank tuning to the right, D# is on the
upper left bank tuning to the left and finally E is on the lower bank
and tune to the right.

Guess what?  The last note tuned is the E which is the highest string
on the violin.  The piano hammer is the fifth one from the end of the
right side of the piano action.

I tuned the piano 50 cents flat as you will find that the pianos like
to go sharp, which accounts for cracked plates due to the increased
tension.  Remember, they were originally tuned to A=435, and you will
also break fewer violin strings...

Greg Filardo
St. Joseph, Missouri