Electronics

[Billbrpt@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 9/24/99 6:34:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
pianotoo@imap2.asu.edu (Jim Coleman, Sr.) writes:

<< The Sanderson AccuTuner is expensive but is real professional, lite weight 
 and dependable and over the long haul is probably the cheapest to use, 
 and is easiest to use and tune the piano the way you like to tune. It does
 not require a computer.
 
 Just my personal opinion, having used most all of them.
 
 Jim Coleman, Sr. >>

Jim's opinion probably reflects that of most practicing piano technicians.  
If the price of a new Sanderson Accu-Tuner III ($1600) is prohibitive, your 
best bet is to watch for someone who is selling an older, used model, the SAT 
or SAT II.  They usually sell for $400-$600.  The basic technology is the 
same.  The smaller size and some added features make the new model attractive 
but the price is still an important consideration.

There was someone just a few days ago who was selling a new SAT III but the 
price was not listed.  As for using a Strobe Tuner or Korg type tuner, you 
would be better off with a $3.00 tuning fork and concentrating on 
redeveloping some good, solid aural tuning techniques.  You need to have them 
in any case.  The FAC programs that the SAT's have are merely calculations.  
It is always recommended to aurally verify and correct them.  Many pianos 
have scale design weaknesses or irregularities that will cause the FAC 
program to give you an inaccurate tuning especially in the low tenor and in 
the wound strings.

Good luck getting started again.

Bill Bremmer RPT