Electronic Tuning Devices???

[Paul McCloud]

Brian:
	I have used the Accutuner for about 10 years.  It works great for pitch
raising- very close in just one pass.  You can use it to tune the whole
piano or just the temperment (do the rest by ear).  With the machine,
you can do a very good tuning "out of the box" .  Or spend the time you
saved tweaking up the tuning.  As far as less expensive Korg-type tuning
devices, you can't simply use them for an "out of box" tuning.  You will
have to fudge the tuning by ear.  You can set the A440 with one, but if
you simply use it to set the temperment, you'll find it doesn't work
out.  There's no provision for stretch, and every piano will be
different.  I had a Korg years ago, which had a digital "analog" readout
of LED's.  I found that if I set the A3 a little flat, and fudged the
rest of the notes in the temperment, I was able to make a good tuning. 
It can be done.  But, the SAT or RCT will be much easier to use, and
save you time.  Now that you are able to tune by ear, I would not
hesitate to recommend a VTD.  That said, you still should continue to
hone your aural skills. You can also use the VTD  to help improve and
test your aural skills. 
	Prices are about $1300 to $1600 for the SAT, if I'm not mistaken. The
price for a used SAT should be around $600-800 or so.  Maybe you can get
one even lower, since the new SAT III is out.  
	My $.02.
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego