<HTML><HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>Where do you live, Bert? My best advice is to immediately start attending PTG chapter meetings (you need not join right away, especially if you are not yet in the biz). </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>Your questions are good ones. Another tech might show you what he or she uses most and have recommendations. It is easy to spend way too much--buying stuff you won't need for a good while and buying stuff you may never use (DAMHIK). Even experienced techs can get a wild look in their eyes at convention vendor booths! Ha.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>I don't recommend "student" hammers. Buy a better one, maybe used. Again talk to other techs, get a feel for what they are using, etc.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>Here's a fun exercise: What is the absolute minimum set of tools needed to tune (not repair, regulate, or voice) a piano? How about ...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>> A land-line telephone. (The dial tone is an A)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>> Some kind of hammer with a #2 or #3 tip.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=4>> One wedge-shaped piece of rubber.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>Alan Barnard</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>Salem, Missouri</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=blumetta@netzero.com href="mailto:blumetta@netzero.com">blumetta@netzero.com</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 02/28/2006 11:35:03 AM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Beginner Seeking Advice</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <P>Hello,</P> <P>I have been lurking on this list for a while with the plans to start a tuning business eventually.  I would like recommendations on tools for a beginning tuner/tech.  I recently bought a piano to practice on and now I need some tools so that I can really cause some damage!</P> <P>I would appreciate advice whether I should buy student type tools to begin with or if this is a waste of money and I should get professional style tools from the beginning.</P> <P>Sincerely,</P> <P>Bert Lumetta (prospective tuner/tech)</P><FONT face=Times-New-Roman size=2><BR><BR>_____________________________________________________________________<BR>Call Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere in the World - FREE!<BR>Free Internet calling from NetZero Voice<BR>Visit <A href="http://www.netzerovoice.com">http://www.netzerovoice.com</A> today!<BR></FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>