Pianos played in honky tonks would be out of tune; the last thing the
owner would do is pay for a tuner.  However, in my opinion, it was the
style of playing plus the type of tunes, and given the "out of tune"
piano you get the "Honky Tonk sound".

Steve Bentley

 [ The pianist adapts his repertoire to the setting and the audience.
 [ Give him an out-of-tune piano and he'll play jolly "honky tonk"
 [ style, but that's about all.  If provided with a fine piano the same
 [ pianist can play many more styles of music to suit the occasion.
 [ -- Robbie