An Update; I’ve gotten to a few consoles, a few small grands and a couple of Steinway D’s, and am really pleased with this lever.
While the appearance of this tool is not the primary objective, it is wonderful to look at while working, it really does make for a more enjoyable experience, if it wasn’t fun enough already!
The contour is excellent, again, better than what I’d asked for. Fits my hand perfectly in so many different grips and positions on both style of pianos. I really like the grip of the epoxy finish, I feel like I have very good control and there is a slight softness to it that is a bit easier on the hand then the rosewood lever I’ve been using. I’ve been working with a 5° lever for decades, really like the 10° angle, just a bit more wiggle room navigating plate struts and such. I’m using the #2 tip for awhile, it’ll move around a bit on some pins but the control is superb, and the rigid shaft gives you good information from the tuning pin. Can’t wait to start working with the #1 tip.
When I first felt how light it was, I worried I’d be working my arm too hard, but there is no energy getting lost in my motion and I feel like I have more control using less energy. I tune a 1933 Steinway L that has been particularly difficult over the years, loose tuning pins, misshapen strings and plate, etc. This lever gave me a remarkable amount of control over these nasty tuning pins, I achieved a level of precision in this tuning that I didn’t think was possible.
(original post…)
I just received the lever I’d ordered a few days ago. I’ve been using a typical schaff rosewood handled extension lever for decades and am glad I finally went with carbon fiber. I’ve only tuned a few uprights and one grand so far with it, but I can already tell this tool has a very welcome place in my tool kit. The way it’s contoured fits my hand perfectly in several different positions on both grands and uprights, and the epoxy finish feels like I have a nice grip on it. Even though it’s half the weight of my extension lever I feel a remarkable amount of control over the tuning pin, there’s really no energy getting away from me.
Randy was very pleasant and patient to work with, he was very generous with his time and kept me in the loop with updates, photos and videos, from when the tool was basically a rectangular corn dog around the shaft to the gorgeous final product. I liked that the handle is so customizable, plus he improved on our initial design consultations and made it even better. The potential for graphics is a nice touch and makes the process that much more personal and enjoyable. The fact that it’s all manufactured in the USA to such high standards sealed the deal.
It’s a magnificent tool technically speaking, and that so much care was put into making it look magnificent as well was really satisfying; I’m going to have to live up to this wonderful lever!
