Tuning lever heads

[Avery Todd]

I've heard the same thing, Clyde. Seems like it was George Defebaugh, many 
years
ago who said that in a convention class but it could well have been someone 
else.

I've used the shortest possible head for many years now and the only 
problems I
have are clearing the plate at section breaks on some pianos (Kawai comes to
mind) and of course, at the high end. It seems to help me with stability by
reducing possible flex, bend, etc. to a bare minimum. The only time I use a
longer head is on verticals with those two piece lids that sometimes 
overhang the
tuning pins too much to use a short tip. Especially from around the middle on
down. When restringing, I use one of the 6-1/2" tips to clear all the struts,
case, etc.

As part of a technical we had a year or two ago, this was talked about, 
commented
on and different tips and techniques were demonstrated. I think the general
consensus was that whatever one gets used to will work as long as care is taken
not to flex/bend the pin, etc., especially when using the longer heads.

One other thing to consider, if one uses an extension lever, is how far 
out, if
at all, does one extend it? I don't. I have one of those but I'll bet I 
haven't
extended it 5 times in all the years I've owned it. Just a thought.

Avery

At 08:14 AM 12/01/01 -0500, you wrote:
>Somewhere along the line I picked up the idea that the shorter the tuning 
>lever
>head, the better, so I am hesitant to buy a 4", 5" or 6" head, especially when
>I need it for only one piano.  Advice, anyone?
>
>Regards,
>Clyde Hollinger, RPT
>Lititz, PA, USA
>
>kam544@flash.net wrote:
>
> > However, my weapon of choice is a 6 1/2" tuning lever head & tip I put on
> > for situations where space is at a premium.  Have dealt with this for years
> > at the university I service, as well as a few other choice locations.
> > Clears all grand rims to date.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Keith McGavern