<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3268" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>If you can, please try to better describe the difference between a jerk and a smoothie. Certainly I can envision the extremes. However, while only on rare occasions do I use a completely smooth motion, I don't sit there and hit the lever either (I've seen some folks do that). I rarely see anyone else tune a piano. The best I could describe my tuning lever motion is gentle, controlled nudges.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>So what would that make me?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>I've been using an eleven-inch-long Keith Bowman/Renner tuning lever (titanium shaft) for all of my ten years of tuning pianos. I like the lever quite a bit, but must admit I've never tried one of these other "stiff" levers. Maybe I need to give 'em a try at the next convention. Gee, I'd feel like I was cheating on my old buddy lever......  ;-(   Maybe cosmetic enhancement surgery?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black">The discussion of the new CF carbon fiber levers brings to mind a subject that I cannot remember seeing on pianotech.  How long of a tuning lever works best for your basic tuning technique?   A couple of years ago I gave a technical session for our chapter called "If I had The Hammer".  It was a survey of the numerous tuning levers that can be purchased today as well as modifications that can be made.  One observation I made is one that you, with your input to the list, can help us all understand better.  I believe that tuners who use a smooth hammer technique prefer a longer lever and that tuners who use a jerk or impact technique benefit from a shorter lever.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have been using a jerk or impact technique for at least twenty five years now.  I have gone through many tuning levers.  I started with the long extension lever at 11 1/2 inches, but quickly changed to the shorter 10 inch one.  The first Fujan lever I tried, in his early days, felt to me like walking on stilts.  It might have been 15 inches long or longer, but I'm not sure about that.  I currently use a Charles Falk lever that is 8 3/4 inches long and it has worked great for me for several years or more.  But I think that's because I'm a jerk.  I had a Jahn Pear handle hammer for a while.  It was a nice light weight, but at 11 inches overall, it was just too long for me.  I gave it to Robert Guenther, a CTE for our chapter, to try and he bought it from me.  It has been his main lever for at least a couple of years now.  Robert is a smoothie.  That is, he uses a smooth or steady pull technique t! o tune.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Most of you know if you are jerks or smoothies.  What length tuning lever works best for your technique?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bruce Dornfeld, RPT  Jerk Tuner</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>