tuning forks-alum. vs steel

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 9:40 PM
Subject: tuning forks-alum. vs steel


> Wondering which type (Aluminum, blued steel or the more expensive (John
> Walker)nickel plated) of A440 fork is preferred or used most.
> Terry Peterson

    I had a big aluminum one for a long time and it worked fine, but I
dropped it on concrete once and it went flat.  Not sure why -- just kidding.
Nice thing about it was that it was loud and sustained a long time.  The
blued steel and chrome plated ones are probably higher quality and more
stable, but being smaller, they're not quite as loud.  But if you hold them
right against your cheekbone near your ear, or against the keyslip or
keybed, they work fine, barring any vacuum cleaners or screaming kids in the
room.
    I wonder what happened to the Deagan brand of fork?  Those are great and
I've been using one for 25 years.    --David Nereson, RPT