<HTML>In a message dated 4/27/02 6:57:28 PM Central Daylight Time, joegarrett@earthlink.net (Joseph Garrett) writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Close only counts in Horseshoes, Hand Grenades and H Bombs. If we espouse tuning to A=440 then, shouldn't we use an A Fork? Granted the difference is minimal, but a difference non the less. </BLOCKQUOTE> Yes, but Joe, the difference would never matter under ideal circumstances by a skilled technician.  By Al Sanderson's figure of .02 cents, it could not be perceived aurally.  Bill Garlick proved this time and again in his classes. What would make a difference would be the fork's sensitivity to temperature.  Some forks vary wildly, others a cent or two. The other assumption being made is that anyone who uses a fork to tune aurally will produce a perfect ET.  If you know me, you know that I don't believe it is really true most of the time.  So, if anything, this would be the argument for using an "A" fork over the "C". I actually do agree that an "A" fork which is properly calibrated and reliable should be used rather than a "C" but having said that, the people who are experienced and more comfortable using the "C" fork and the temperament sequence that goes with it will produce results indistinguishable from the other method.  This has been proven enough times that the PTG Tuning Exam permits the use of either pitch source.  Whatever difference there may be falls far short of the very tight tolerances in the pitch and temperament portions of the exam. It is those whose temperament varies by either design or default who will produce an A4 which is off the mark by using a "C" fork.  The standard for pitch is A4 at 440.  C5 at 523.3 is merely the *theoretical equivilant*.  Some time ago, there were those who were saying that a temperament could still be considered "equal" with 2 or even 3 cent tolerances for each note.  Those are loose enough standards to produce an 18th Century style Well-Tempered tuning or even 1/7 Comma Meantone. Using that kind of loose standard and a "C" fork would most certainly produce an A4 which would be unacceptably off pitch. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin <A HREF="http://www.billbremmer.com/">Click here: -=w w w . b i l l b r e m m e r . c o m =-</A> </HTML>