This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment I used to help out at a small music store in California, and I was always given the job of tuning Autoharps. Usually they are in the 1/2 step flat range by the time you see them. When you tune them to pitch, they will drop right back down, which means you have to tune them 2 or 3 times. I had a Hale Electro-fork which worked great for this, as it gave me an audio source. Trying to pick up the sound on a SAT was sometimes problematic. If you use the SAT, it would probably be easiest if you have one of the external speakers which you give you a tone. I found it was best if you first tune an octave in the center of the harp, and then tune the octaves aurally out from there. Trying to tune everything to the machine just takes too much time, and is quicker by ear. If strings break, which they sometimes do, they can be replaced with Guitar strings in a pinch. You can also tune the center octave to the piano, but if it's a spinet, the piano is going to have alot of stretch. Probably won't matter too much though. It's realistically going to take about 20 minutes or so. Let me know how it turned out after you did it. Good Luck. ----- Original Message ----- From: DGPEAKE@AOL.COM To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 9:49 PM Subject: Tuning an Autoharp Dear Friends and Collegues, This Friday I am tuning one of my regular clients piano. Today she called and asked if I could also tune her autoharp which is 1/2 step flat. I have never tuned one so I am asking for some advice assuming some of you (Wim?) have done this before. She has the tool for it. 1. I would guess it would need a pitch raise. How much harmonic stretch is involved if any? 2. Using my SAT 3 should I perform an FAC stretch or keep it at zero cents and tune? 3. How long should it take? 4. Should I attempt the job at all? If so, any other hints you can pass along? I am not an autoharp technician (AT) and do not belong to the Autoharp Technicians Guild (ATG-if there is such an organization). Your professional advice will be greatly appreciated. Dave Peake, RPT Portland Chapter Oregon City, OR www.davespianoworks.locality.com ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/ea/39/2d/63/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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