I tried the cyber thingee, and had the same wrist issues that Scott seems to have had. Plus, impact technique just is too sloppy for what I want to do when tuning...at least for my body...don't like them at all, or that motion.
Instead, after much experimenting, I came away with a long lever, much like others have mentioned. I had Charles Faulk make me a custom 15.5" lever, with a thin straight handle. I mostly use it with a 5 degree head, on all uprights, and most grands, except some European grands with deep struts (10 degree on these). After making my lever, Charles made a similar one for himself, and liked it enough to make a line of long levers, from what he tells me.
As far as technique, I use my long lever with no shoulder, back or arm movement at all, and certainly no jerking at all! Rather, I lever the thin handle off of struts, upright pinfields, or whatever is close by. Thumb on the lever, finger(s) on rigid parts of the piano. This almost entirely eliminates the flex and slop in the whole arm, shoulder trunk system. Very stable precise results, almost no effort, and I actually prefer tight blocks with this levering technique.
In any case, whatever ends up working for you, examine the way you use your body, learn about how you are abusing yourself, and re-tool your muscle use, no matter that lever you end up using. Repetitive motions like this will challenge any musculature. Find a good deep tissue massage person, and have them work your trigger points as a cost of doing business. Get
Caire Davies' trigger point therapy book and learn how to diagnose and treat your own issues, in concert with body work folks. In my own case, I have taken a seriously challenged musculature, and rather than see it get worse as I get older, I'm am fixing things that never worked well even at any earlier point in my life. Take this as an opportunity to learn how to age gracefully!
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2019 13:51
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Impact Tuning Hammers
I got a used CyberHammer a few years ago but it didn't work for me because my issue is my wrists, not shoulder. If you have problems with your wrists it's not the way to go! I'd sell you mine really cheap if you wanted to try it out. I also bought the C Hammer which didn't work out for me either. It's a very clever design and does what it says it will do, it just didn't work for me. It's tricky not having your hands "trip" over each other. But again, if you have shoulder issues it could be a good choice. My lever of choice is the Fujan with an extension that makes it 17" long. (Just in case you were wondering. Not trying to sell you on it.) Since my issue is my wrists the extra leverage really helps out.
Contact me privately if you'd be interested in purchasing either: thattuningguy@gmail.com
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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Smart Piano Tuner user
Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2019 23:04
From: S. Fenton Murray
Subject: Impact Tuning Hammers
Hello List,
I am considering purchasing an impact tuning hammer due to some shoulder issues.
Uprights are my concern.
Info and suggestion will be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Fenton
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S. Fenton Murray, RPT
Royal Oaks CA
831-722-6742
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