A= 440 Fork modification?

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Phil:

A friend of mine failed his pitch exam by trying to estimate the amount
of error of his fork. Your pitch will be measured directly with a true
A440. Much simpler to tune your fork to the SAT II at body temperature.
This is the only way you will know that it is correct when you use it.
Place it under your armpit to get it to temperature. Then check it with
the SAT. If it is too sharp, file off the ends of the tines till it is
right. If it is too flat, file off the inside edges near the base of the
fork. Remember that as you file, you are generating heat, so take your
time and make sure the fork is normalized as to your body temperature.

When you take your test, hold your fork under your armpit to keep it
in tune when you need to use it critically.

BTW, it would take 4 seconds to hear 1 beat if your fork is out of tune
by 1 cent. If you tune your A440 to your present fork, with the 1 cent
tolerance, you would get 100% on pitch. For each .1 cent deviation 
thereafter, it would cost you 1 percentage point. With a 3 cent error,
you would be at the 80% borderline. That is equivalent to 3/4 bps error.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Wed, 27 Oct 1999, Phil Bondi wrote:

> Good Morning.
> 
> I received an A=3D440 fork from a supply house we all know and love..and =
> it's a fine instrument.
> 
> It registers on the SATll at 440 and 1 cent.
> 
> I do not intend to pull hairs here..rather..I would like to know =
> if..during the Tuning Exam, there is a deduction for this? If I set A4 =
> to this fork and nail it, the SAT will read that A4 is 1c above 440.
> 
> I thought I understood that there is a compensation factor built into =
> the test to accomodate such a phenomenon..is that correct?
> 
> I would rather just nail A=3D440 and be done with the compensation =
> factor, if that's the case.
> 
> Anyone care to make any wagers how long it takes me to hear a 1cent =
> difference at A4 AND set A4 to that 1 cent difference..?!?!?
> 
> Rook
> 
> 
>