strangeness

[Ron Nossaman]

I had an interesting tuning this morning. It was a blonde naugahide
Wurlitzer. While it should have been privilege enough to be allowed access
to a fantastically rare and expensive instrument such as this, I was
awarded another rather unique thrill as well.

When I started to set the temperament, I was puzzled by the apparently
random pitches I encountered. One note was high, the next low, often quite
a bit... then It hit me. I have been privileged to follow the remains of a
rare and nearly unknown example of an inverted transitional jazz
temperament known as the CBH, or Crater - Beirce - Hoffa temperament.
Freshly applied, it tends to have a somewhat noisy and controversial
character, virtually impossible to ignore or fully control, right up to the
time when it suddenly disappears, leaving what is often mistaken for the
standard WM (wretched mess) temperament reportedly reigning in some circles. 

It is rare that I am afforded a glimpse at such an unusual and
distinguished example of tuning history, and I felt It only proper to share
the experience with my friends and colleagues on the list. It was quite a
thrill for me, I'll tell you.   
   

Ron N