<HTML>Benny:      I have my own tuning problems. In fact I have perfe= cted several techniques depending upon the tightness of the pins and how I'm= feeling that day. But if you really want to know if the pin is set and the = string is stable, take a hammer shank, and press down upon the speaking leng= th of the string just tuned. If it stays put, you did a good job. If not...k= eep trying until you perfect the technique. The boys at Steinway, New York s= hared that little tip with me. I randomly check my tuning with this method. =      I seem to do better if I pull to the pitch and then= pull above until the pitch begans to change and then pull back down on the = tuning lever. If I pull several beats above the pitch and back down to the d= esired pitch while banging the note, the string will go flat. If the pins ar= e really tight I use the "jerk" method. Quick short snappy shots on the very= end of the lever. But mind you, even though I have been tuning for nearly t= hirty years, I have not attempted the RPT tuning exam. I' m just an associat= e. So what do I know...I'm still learning and will take Wim Bless' s seminar= at Alabama in hopes he will help me finalize my fine tuning technique. Tommy Black Decatur, Ala. Tommy Black Decatur, Ala.</HTML>