Retirement of a fork

[Charles Neuman]

Wow, that's interesting. I have noticed my fork (which is supposed to be a
good one) was around a cent off from the A440 on my electronic metronome.
Since I can calibrate TuneLab to whichever A440 I'm using, I haven't yet
determined which is correct. I have been using the fork so I can learn to
use a fork. But if I want to set an accurate A440, maybe I'll switch to my
electronic A440.

If you're calibrating your own forks, one strategy might be to calibrate
it so that it's at A440 when you've held it in your hand. Your body
temperature is pretty constant, so whatever season it is, you just warm up
the fork in your hand and it should be at A440, right? I find that my
forks changes pitch a little after I've handled it, especially in the
winter when it starts out cold. Someone else had suggested putting the
fork between your belt and shirt, and to use that temperature.

Charles


> Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 19:11:25 -0400 (EDT)
> From: David Renaud <drjazzca@yahoo.ca>
>
>   I recall getting paranoid about my fork before
> my exam. Checking at the acutuner display I
> was appalled to learn it was 2.5 cents flat.
> Promptly purchased a new one, finding it .8 cents off.
> Reporting to the supplier's table they offered their
> best big $50 heavy fork. To acutuner I ran
> discovering it was 4.5 cents flat.
>
>   So I learned to adjust forks and calibrated my
> collection. Learned to be aware of fork temperature
> and resulting pitch variation. For years they served
> me well. From time to time I would drop one, or they
> would rust out. For whatever reason every time I would
>  check them against a machine they had changed
> somewhat, requiring tweaking of pitch.
>
> These last 3 years I use an cheap Sieko device that
> can buzz pitches. $5 garage sale item. Checked it's A
> with acutuner and tunelab on various occasions and it
> stops the lights.
>
>   It does not wear out the old teeth, does not
> fluctuate in pitch with temperature, does not require
> 3 hands, has not required tweaking of pitch
> calibration, and is not expensive.
>
>  Based on my experience I propose that we can maintain
> a more consistent standard with greater ease, and
> therefore a higher standard with a cheap electronic A
> then with a fork.
>
>   PS. I still carry a fork, as it does not require
> batteries.
> Also Continue to experiment with tunelab these
> last couple months. Nice tool.
>
>                       Dave Renaud
>                       RPT
>