I just ordered a new Fujan tuning hammer and I'm really excited about it. I won't be receiving it until next week. I had a chance to briefly try it as a fellow tuner owns one and swears by it. Another tuner friend of mine also has one and loves it. I was just wondering if any of you have tried it and your views on it. Thanks

For those who haven't heard of it here is the link. www.fujanproducts.com

I just did a search and found that all of you that own one really like it. So now I'm even more excited. I took the 11 degree head, but I'm wondering if I should also get the 5 degree? Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanks

You're going to really like it! I can tune so much faster and better with this hammer, and the more I use it, the better it feels. Just for fun, I went back to my old hammer and it was horrible!

I believe I have the 5 degree, and so far, I have not had a problem clearing my M&H A. When my BB arrives, I hope I will be ok as well.

Post your thoughts about it after it arrives.

GP

Mine arrived today - I can't wait to try it along with the Watanabe tips. Have 5 tunings on Sat. I'll post what I think.

Great Bob, looking forward to it.

GP

Once in a while, somebody in this industry has a great idea. Steve Fujan has a winner here. The hammer is very light and easy to hold. Setting the pins is a breeze. I had a 1" tip and 11 degree head, which led to minor clearance problems on some treble pins on a grand (plate at capo too high), but the knob at the end helped me use a different handle position with relative ease. Be careful to place the tip on the correct pin. It's a bit hard to see the tip from some angles due to the large head on the hammer.

I also liked the Watanabe tip and echo what others have said, it fits better than Hale tips. A good fit is very important for stable tunings.

Buy the Fujan, It's worth the money!!

I knew it...that's great Bob. I am not a pro tuner, but I knew that the Fujan was a winner after using a normal tuning hammer for over a year, then going to the Fujan, the difference was amazing. Exactly as you said, setting the pins is so much eaiser and faster. The amount of finite control in getting the string to the correct spot is so much eaiser.

Lol, I had the same problem in the beginning, tuning the wrong pin!

GP

What the tube length do you all use?

I am thinking of the 2-3/8" tip with 5 deg head. Any advise? or 11 deg is better?

List, I have the 5 degree head with a tip extension with the 9 and the 13 inch lever..... I wanted the least amount of flagpolling. I have a bit of trouble up in the treble clearing the frame...all I do though is use the hammer in the 12:00 position up there and I am fine...as Bob mentioned, the handle helps. In fact, I really like the handle, it's so ergonomic, your hand fits it really well. That, plus the overall design really lets you feel the pin and allows much more detailed control.

GP

I will probably get a second head and put a longer tip on it for treble clearance issues.

I took the 11 degree head with the 9 and 11 inch tubes. After I try it with a few grands, depending on how well it performs, I might get the 5 degree head with the long tip. The 13" tube seems long to me, 17" total, but I would still like to try it because of the extra leverage. I'll post when I've tried it.

The Fujan does sound intriguing. I use the Schaff stationary hammer that's a knock-off of the Yamaha, and sometimes Schaff's mini extension lever. Most of the time these are fine, but occasionally I have a piano -- like an Asian grand -- with pins so tight I have some flex issues. Reading all the glowing Fujan reports has me thinking ahead a bit, but I'm afraid it'll be awhile.

Speaking of 5 degree heads: Does anyone know a supplier of these in the short 7/8 length? I have one that is over 25 years old, and I'm very attached to it. I can't use it on every piano, but it's still my favorite. However, neither Schaff nor PianoTek offers one. Any help finding a replacement would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

Call Schaff. They have many parts that aren't in their catalog. They still have 10 degree heads, for example.

They also have a nifty thin-wall extension tip, that just fits into any other tip. So when you have a clearance problem, you can just add it on, without changing tips or heads.

--Cy--

I'll try that Cy, good idea.

Jeff

I gotta get one of those!!!! I guess I will have to start ordering more often from the states now. THANKS

I just received my lever, tuned my own piano, and I really like it. I think it will get some time to get used to it because it's so light. But the feel on the pins is great and it really is easier to set the pins. I think I will have to get the long tip as it barely clears both the stretcher and the capo bar on my piano. I still manage to do it by trying different positions but I think the longer tip with the 5 dgree head is probably more practical. My only problem is that the rosewood handle arrived with a dent in it. All the packaging was intact. I have emailed a picture of it to Steve, and I'm sure he will replace it. Great product.