Hi,

I want to buy a piano tuning kit. There are a lot of options avail online, so not sure where to spend my money. I only want to buy this once and be happy with it. Can anyone suggest a good quality set - preferable one with a DVD or CD.


Thanks

How about this? Or do you mean more like this? In any event, it's difficult to buy something once and be happy with it. The more you learn about pianos, the more tools you'll want to have. Or it could be you'll be lucky and not turn out to be a tool junkie like me

Hi Jim,

I am seriously contemplating the Randy Potter course. I wonder if it would be money well spent. I imagine it would be better to attend a college vice online correspondence? Anyone know or have taken this course?



Tony

There are some past threads about this, so far I have not heard anybody say anything bad about the Potter course. It has A LOT of information and is very helpful if you are on your own.

However, if you can and want to attend to a full time programme, just start looking for the best school for you. This is not easy stuff, there's no reason to try to make it even more difficult. Many techs have started with the Potter course, but I think daily tuition and supervision in a controlled environment is hard to beat.

Get into a good piano tech programme, join the PTG and attend to the chapter meetings, conferences and conventions.

Thanks all for the advise.

hello
just to second that about the Potter course. i know Randy and he just recently won the Hall Of Fame award for 2009 for the PTG. and his course is the next best thing to having him ( or a teacher) right beside you. and he is a Sanderson Accu-tuner dealer too.
so yes i think it is worth it. good luck !

73'
kd7

tuner/tech S.W. Washington

Sorry to hijack your thread...

But, I'm in need of tuning supplies as well...

After I broke a few strings and had them replaced, my tuner actually suggested I replace them on my own should I break some again. Well I did... So I'm looking for supplies. Not my goal to be a professional tuner or anything and I assume I could use pianosupplies.com, but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Re hammers. Skeptical about the ones on ebay and Amazon, the latter having horrible reviews. I did find I could order one for 25 bucks at Sam Ash. Any one know of the quality? Skeptical once again since I was told there is only 1 quality / only 1 company makes them.

What about wire? My other strings (F#5 and Ab5) were replaced with 15 1/2 gauge Roslau wire. Now I've broken F5. I'm assuming they're all the same gauge but may invest in a micrometer as well.

I'd prefer if I could walk into a store and get this stuff asap... So if you know a place in the LI/NYC area... I actually went to a local store and was told I'd have to order through them / couldn't really since I wasn't a professional tuner. Plus they were talking 200 for a hammer, so...

Anyone have any clue about Yamaha CP70s? In the sense... Are stings prone to breakage or is it just mine? My tuner didn't think so. Like I said, this is the 3rd string I've broken.

The hammers on a CP70 are hard, and the natural, unamplified sound is soft. That makes you play harder, so the strings are prone to breakage.

They're junk. The company that makes these hammers doesn't know how to make a tip that fits a pin. They slip, and you risk ruining the pins.

Schaff has the lion's share of the business, but there are even more high end hammers available from other specialty companies. However, I bought a New Octave hammer and found it completely adequate. One of the dealers listed on their website (www.newoctave.com) is relatively local to me and sells a nylon-handled non-extension hammer for a completely reasonable $29.95. It doesn't flex, and the #2 head this hammer comes with grips the pins well and does a good job. Don't buy anything cheaper. Those cheap gooseneck and apprentice hammers have a short handle and are hard to control.



Buy or borrow a 1" micrometer. If you know a machinist or car mechanic he'll likely have several. They're not that expensive and can be very useful if you make precision measurements. Learning to read them is a bit of a trick though. Check here for instructions.
http://www.linnbenton.edu/auto/day/mike/read.html

That's exactly what I was thinking, but like I said, my tuner didn't think it was a factor. I'm sure my playing method doesn't help the situation. He did mention the strings under the capo looked a little steep and therefore under more pressure.

But good to know it's inherent and not cause mine is old or anything. :p I was worried I'll need to replace all the strings.

I do have a pair of studio monitors hooked up / on when the string broke (plus a distortion pedal going). Freaked me out! But, I definitely notice a difference in key weight with different settings.



Thanks for the advice on the hammers as well. Very helpful. My tuner actually taught me how to measure with a micrometer, don't remember it totally, but I'm hoping it will make things less complicated.

Hi Elizabeth,

I took the plunge and have decided to purchase a "Touch Up Tool Kit from:

http://www.stevespianoservice.com/toolpart.htm

I opted to upgrade to the rosewood handle (like I know the difference!:). I also ordered the following book as well:

KURK COMBO
PIANO TUNING BOOK AND CD FOR BEGINNERS --
By Dennis E. Kurk PTG

http://www.stevespianoservice.com/books.htm

I also ordered a soundboard cleaner (not on their website yet) which appears to be much better than a "soundboard steel".

I'll let you know how this all works out when I receive them.



Cheers

Did you receive your stuff yet?

I just got my micrometer (from Home Depot) and measured my broken string to be 16 gauge. So I'm eager to get the rest of my supplies.

How is the hammer? How are they in terms of customer service, shipping?

I'm thinking of getting at least some wire from them. My tuner used Roslau for my other strings. How does it compare to Mapes?

Haha... I don't have a soundboard. :p

Hi,

No, I haven't received the tools yet. I do expect them today (Wednesday) or tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting them and will definately let you know what I think of the quality.


I need a micrometer as well and will probably get one from HD:)

TB

Hi,

The tuning kit has arrived. All is in good order. I have a few pics here of the kit / tuning hammer and soundboard cleaner. There are also some pics of the piano.


http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.php

The hammer itself seems quite solid and it has a removeable tip. Although I haven't tried it yet I think it will be quite good for my purposes.

A CD about how to tune (for beginners) is also included. So it shouldn't take more than a week to put "pro-tuner" after my name!!

It's asking me to register... Is that the link to your login page or something?

Hi,

No. Its just a free photo service online. I guess you have to register - but its FREE!!



TB

That link is not to your photos, though.

Crap,

Your right!!

The link should be:
http://my.imageshack.us/user/PianoLover

Sorry about that.


TB