Retirement of a fork

[Joe And Penny Goss]

Joe Goss
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Neuman" <piano@charlesneuman.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 9:51 AM
Subject: Re: Retirement of a fork


> Wow, that's interesting. I have noticed my fork (which is supposed to be a
> good one) was around a cent off from the A440 on my electronic metronome.
> Since I can calibrate TuneLab to whichever A440 I'm using, I haven't yet
> determined which is correct. I have been using the fork so I can learn to
> use a fork. But if I want to set an accurate A440, maybe I'll switch to my
> electronic A440.
>
> If you're calibrating your own forks, one strategy might be to calibrate
> it so that it's at A440 when you've held it in your hand. Your body
> temperature is pretty constant, so whatever season it is, you just warm up
> the fork in your hand and it should be at A440, right? I find that my
> forks changes pitch a little after I've handled it, especially in the
> winter when it starts out cold. Someone else had suggested putting the
> fork between your belt and shirt, and to use that temperature.
>
> Charles
>
>
> > Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 19:11:25 -0400 (EDT)
> > From: David Renaud <drjazzca@yahoo.ca>
> >
> >   I recall getting paranoid about my fork before
> > my exam. Checking at the acutuner display I
> > was appalled to learn it was 2.5 cents flat.
> > Promptly purchased a new one, finding it .8 cents off.
> > Reporting to the supplier's table they offered their
> > best big $50 heavy fork. To acutuner I ran
> > discovering it was 4.5 cents flat.
> >
> >   So I learned to adjust forks and calibrated my
> > collection. Learned to be aware of fork temperature
> > and resulting pitch variation. For years they served
> > me well. From time to time I would drop one, or they
> > would rust out. For whatever reason every time I would
> >  check them against a machine they had changed
> > somewhat, requiring tweaking of pitch.
> >
> > These last 3 years I use an cheap Sieko device that
> > can buzz pitches. $5 garage sale item. Checked it's A
> > with acutuner and tunelab on various occasions and it
> > stops the lights.
> >
> >   It does not wear out the old teeth, does not
> > fluctuate in pitch with temperature, does not require
> > 3 hands, has not required tweaking of pitch
> > calibration, and is not expensive.
> >
> >  Based on my experience I propose that we can maintain
> > a more consistent standard with greater ease, and
> > therefore a higher standard with a cheap electronic A
> > then with a fork.
> >
> >   PS. I still carry a fork, as it does not require
> > batteries.
> > Also Continue to experiment with tunelab these
> > last couple months. Nice tool.
> >
> >                       Dave Renaud
> >                       RPT
> >
>
>