Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice

[David Ilvedson]

My goal in piano service is as light a kit as I can put together.  My 
joints don't need the aggravation.  The tricky part is what to leave 
out for general service.  My kit now is approximately 10 lbs.  I carry 
one hammer and others in the car.  

David I.

On 17 Jun 2002 at 14:45, Ron Koval wrote:

> Well, I must admit to carrying 3(!) tuning levers in my primary kit. 
> And yes, everyone of them is modified from stock.  I've gone from long
> to short, from heavy back to light.
> 
> My most used lever is a shortened student lever.  Just pulled out of
> the handle, cut off and pushed back in.  The handle is covered with a
> very thin wetsuit-like tube that I used to have on my bike handlebars.
>  It gives just the right amount of cushion without the loss of "feel".
> 
> Next, I have a Mahaffey impact lever, shortened (I had a bunch of
> different size threaded rods made) with the portion between the weight
> and the head covered with clear vinyl tubing (7/8"?) for grip comfort.
> 
> Last, I have a mini-extension lever fitted with a long tip for the
> treble in grands, with a thin-wall tip in reserve.  This lever is also
> covered with the thin handlebar material.  I had hoped to make this
> one the primary lever, but the hex shaft doesn't fit the extension
> collar tight enough, introducing some wobble.
> 
> As to technique, "whatever works" is my motto!  Learn as many
> different styles as possible, because the pianos you see will be
> unpredictable. From super-tight to barely holding, from smooth moving
> strings to popping through the agraffes, try to be ready for them
> all..... it's part of the fun!
> 
> Ron Koval
> 
> Chicagoland
> 
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