<div>Michelle</div> <div> </div> <div>I, too, have transitioned through several different tuning levers over the course of my ten years in the biz. And that's precisely the way to look at this: the next tuning lever you buy will not be the last one. So the decision is not set in stone. </div> <div> </div> <div>And, it's hard to know which is best for yourself until you buy one and use it for awhile. The exception might be that Fujan lever that Michael refers to: they offer to refund your money within 30 days if you return the lever in undamaged condition, so you could buy it and try it out for a month.</div> <div> </div> <div>I actually carry two different tuning levers in my tool kit; I use one for verticals and the other for grands. I believe it helps me with fatigue.</div> <div> </div> <div>The only specific advice I'd offer is this: go with a wood handle rather than plastic (the Fujan is
aluminum, but with a rosewood ball on the end.). You're going to have that thing in your hand a lot of hours, and the wood feels so much better than plastic. To me, anyway.</div> <div> </div> <div>Tom Sivak</div> <div>Chicago<BR><BR><B><I>Michael Spalding <spalding48@earthlink.net></I></B> wrote:</div> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">Hi Michelle,<BR><BR>As someone else has pointed out, the big difference is leverage. Both the<BR>handle and the shaft of the compact are shorter; also, the shaft of the<BR>compact has threads at only one end, while the shaft of the full size lever<BR>is threaded at both ends. Like having a spare shaft.<BR><BR>Regarding budget, think long term. I spent at least $250 on various<BR>lower-cost levers, before investing $250 in my rosewood/titanium Calahan. <BR><BR>Mike<BR><BR><BR>> [Original Message]<BR>> From: Michelle Smith <MICHELLE@CDAUSTIN.COM><BR>>
To: Pianotech List <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG><BR>> Date: 4/3/2006 11:29:57 PM<BR>> Subject: Compact Tuning Lever?<BR>><BR>> Hello all. I'd like to purchase a new tuning lever (currently using <BR>> a student grade) but don't have a ton of money to spend. Been <BR>> looking at the Schaff rosewood extension lever and the compact <BR>> lever. Can someone please explain the difference between the two <BR>> (besides size!) and which would be better for general use?<BR>><BR>> Thanks so much.<BR>><BR>> Michelle Smith<BR>> Student Tuner<BR>> Bastrop, Texas<BR><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>