Hi to all: I had thought that we had put an end to the controversy about whether or not a piano can be tuned with an ETD. Granted, both contestants in the Chicago Tune-off were qualified and experienced tuners, yet one piano was tuned strictly with the electronic tuning devices (RCT and SAT) and the other piano was tuned strictly by ear (OK, he used hands too). Before this contest, I had predicted that there wouldn't be a "dime's worth of difference" between the results. This proved to be true. The scoring was approx. 52% to 48% as scored by a roomfull of piano technicians and musicians. Two tests were conducted as the pianos were switched on the second heat in the contest. This ruled out any superiority of one piano over the other as far as power or quality is concerned. This was the most fair test I can imagine to show which method of tuning is superior. The audience did not know which piano was tuned by which contestant during the first test. This ruled out any personality favoritism. The voting results were about the same in both tests. As we said above, this contest was between two well experienced concert tuners. If the test had been between a novice aural tuner and a novice ETD tuner, the results would have been decidedly in favor of the ETD user. This was proven in an L.A. chapter meeting many years ago when a nontuner woman was given minimum instruction with a Yamaha PT3 and her result was compared with a moderately experienced aural tuner. The audience had difficulty showing a preference. Just think how much difference would have been shown if the aural tuner were also a novice. In trying to define what is a tuner, we obviously have some preconceived ideas about this. To some, unless he/she is a concert tuner, in their estimation he/she is not a tuner unless concert quality is achieved. I just had a call from a lady in the Chicago area who had answered an ad in the paper which said "piano tuning - $35 (includes cleaning)". When he finished, the bill was $60 and the piano sounded worse than before he came. Now, I would not call this one "a Tuner", and I'm sure he is not a member of the Chicago chapter of PTG. First, he was a "bait and switch artist", he intimidated the customer, and he didn't know what he was doing as far as piano tuning is concerned. Those of you who live in Chicago probably know who this is. Those who use a ridiculously low price to get their foot in the door are not in my opinion legitimate piano tuners. And then the bait and switch adds insult to the injury. Jim Coleman, Sr. 4 W. Del Rio Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282 PS I still have free copies of the Baldassin-Sanderson-Kimbell-Tremper temperament procedures. This 3 page procedure is also free with the new "Passing the PTG Tuning Test" video tape. This tape was designed to encourage Associates members to take their tuning test. This is especially helpful to owners of the SAT III but could be useful to owners of some other ETD's. Ask about the video tape and its offer. Send stamped self addressed envelope for the free notes.
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