Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice

[Joe And Penny Goss]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Hi Bill,
I offer two length shafts 8" and 10" x 1/2" hex powder coated or blued,  =
 =20
also 15% and 20% heads with a #2 or #3 head.
all but the tips are my design and we are tooling up to make the tip.
The reason for the 1/2" hex is STRENGTH, to not flex like most smaller =
shafts, and control in moving the hammer from pin to pin. One can move =
the hammer by using the knob end but I find that it is easier to move =
the hammer by holding the hammer about 2" from the head when tuning an =
upright, and in the middle on grands. The hex shape keeps the hammer =
from twisting when placing it on the next pin.
The weight of the hammer with a 10" shaft is 11 oz. without knob the 8" =
shaft is 9 oz. without knob The knobs can weigh from 2 to 6 oz. =
depending on the shape and wood used.
So far all who have purchased my hammer have had nothing but rave =
reviews. The user can feel the pin pop in the pinblock as the pin =
turnes. Hey that would be a good title
" As The Pin Turns ".
The heads are recommended not to be changed and are solidly screwed on =
the shaft.
Both ends are 1/8" pipe thread so that either end can be used to mount a =
tuning tip.
If I need to use my thin wall for a pin or two or a piano, I simply =
remove the knob and mount the tip at that end using the regular tip as =
the knob.
You can tune right handed a few more notes into the treble of a grand by =
removing the knob and just using the shaft to tune.
Joe Goss
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Billbrpt@AOL.COM=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2002 11:10 AM
  Subject: Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice


  List,=20

  Yesterday, while completing the Pinblock Doping job, a newer =
subscriber to this List and a resident of Madison, Wisconsin, Tyler =
Smith dropped by to introduce himself.  He is interested in learning the =
Piano Tuning and Technology trade.=20

  His first concern is about acquiring a tuning hammer.  He expressed =
reluctance at getting a "student" hammer from Schaff Piano Supply, =
concerned that it would be inferior and perhaps wear out prematurely.  I =
told him that such a basic tool was not necessarily a bad one, however.  =
What it is, is light weight and some technicians prefer something far =
more massive.=20

  I used such a hammer for many years and personally prefer a lighter =
weight hammer.  When I decided to try Charles Huether's WonderWand ball =
end hammer, I instantly took to it and it has been my choice for over 10 =
years now.  I have seen other opinions about this, however, at least one =
in which the writer said he couldn't understand how anyone could use one =
and get a piano tuned.  I think the difference in preferences boils down =
to heavy or light, long or short, springy or stiff, ball end or =
conventional handle.=20

  We also discussed hammer technique.  I think most people would start =
with a concept of slow pull as I did.  I know that there are some =
excellent tuners who use a slow pull technique, so I can't say that it =
is wrong.  But what I learned from George Defebaugh and Jim Coleman at =
the 1979 Convention in Minneapolis was an impact type technique which I =
quickly converted to and have used ever since.=20

  I remember George explaining that an impact type technique was the =
most mechanically correct and appropriate way to move the piano string.  =
His reasoning made sense to me and thus that kind of technique has =
worked for me.  However, when I am trying to help someone learn to tune =
better, the student will often feel discouraged that he or she cannot =
seem to "pop" a string into tune with a single stroke the way I often =
can. That is where practice and experience allow me to tune very rapidly =
and accurately but those skills took many years to acquire.=20

  In the end, I advise the student that he or she must find what kind of =
hammer and technique seem to work for them.  If one kind or style is =
tried and it doesn't seem to be working out, then maybe another will.  I =
often see people write of the difficulty and frustration with tuning a =
Steinway vertical.  I never have any trouble with them at all but it is =
because I think I have found the proper tool and technique to defeat =
what otherwise is a maddeningly difficult piano to tune.=20

  Let's hear some opinions about the best way to get started with a =
tuning hammer and technique.  I don't expect everyone to agree with my =
opinion and I even welcome a well reasoned opinion that is in direct =
conflict with mine.  I think it is best for a student and everyone =
really, to at least understand a different point of view.=20

  My current tuning hammer is well worn and due for replacement.  What I =
think I'd like to do is try Joe Goss' ball end tuning hammer.  My =
question is if it is light, medium weight or heavy.  I don't want a =
heavy hammer because that would cut down on my speed.  I'm inclined to =
buy another WonderWand and let Tyler try my old one for a while but I am =
intrigued with trying Joe's hammer.  Joe, can you tell us a little about =
your ball end hammer and why you think it may be better than the =
WonderWand?=20

  Bill Bremmer RPT=20
  Madison, Wisconsin=20
  Click here: -=3Dw w w . b i l l b r e m m e r . c o m =3D-=20

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/93/eb/2e/06/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--