Phil, I think that this can be done. The problem is with these pesky devices called tuning pins which have to be "settled" in the pinblock if a stable tuning is to be achieved. Were it not for the challenge of micro-adjusting these gross contrivances, we would have an easier job, that's for sure. To enable a machine to adjust the pitch of piano strings, a different tuning system would be required. Someone mentioned the Mason & Hamlin screw stringer mechanism which required no tuning hammer technique (which is possibly one reason why the idea was abandoned <g>). I once saw a harpsichord that had tuning pins held by individual hinged plates - after doing the basic tuning with a tuning wrench on the tuning pins, you then refined the tuning by tilting the pins forward or back with adjustment screws. One could conjure up other ways of adding a fine tuning feature to pianos, much the same as "tuners" on the tailpiece of a violin. For example, moveable agraffes or similar terminations under the capo bar or moveable counterbearing points reminiscent, appearance-wise, of the Baldwin SD-10. Look at the key-changing gizmos on a concert harp for another idea. If you wanted to have a piano that could tune itself, you would need to re-engineer the tuning system as suggested above. As for a tuning hammer/SAT rig to use on existing pianos, though, this is another matter. Anything's possible, of course, but even in the Yamaha factory, with all their incredible machinery, I believe they still use people to tune the new pianos. Thanks to tradition, people will continue to beat a path to our doors. But don't let that stop you from dreaming of a better "mouse trap". Tom Phil Ryan wrote: > > Does anyone have any comments or reactions to the idea of building a > battery operated or electrical tuning hammer which could be interfaced > with a SAT or other computerized piano tuning program to slowly tighten > or loosen the tuning pin of the note you are playing until the red > lights are stopped? Would such an invention be possible, feasible or > desirable? Or is there such an mechanism out there? I'd love to hear > your comments. > > Phil R. > > .- -- Thomas A. Cole RPT Santa Cruz, CA
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