#16 My thoughts on TUNING WRENCHES

1. Some folks use the little "L" handle wrench that originally came with the harp. It has a more or less square opening that more or less fits (and I use the word loosely) onto the tuning pins.

2. Others use a "T" handle wrench that is used as if winding a clock spring. Some have square holes and others have a star point (which will fit in any of eight different positions on the pins). These wrenches are preferred by some luthiers for installing new or replacement strings on 'harps.

3. Still others use a "Long Handle" tuning wrench, which generally has an eight position star point. The point opening has a slight inner taper (as does the "T" handle) so that it tends to fit snugly onto the tuning pin when in full position.

NOW ... each of these wrenches are good:

1. The little original wrench is good ... for NOTHING!
The fit is so sloppy, it can actually make tuning difficult. (but if you have NO other wrench available, use it)

2. The "T" handle wrench is certainly a very fine tool as it exerts pressure straight down upon the tuning pin as you twist, with equal pressure on each side of the "T" handle. In my estimation it is best used for string changing ... but others may take issue with that.

3. The "Long Handle" wrench is the tuning tool of my preference. When properly used, it can do it all. For autoharp string changing, and tuning. The extra length of the handle provides a very fine degree of tuning ... because the least little movement at the outer end of the swing arc does it! It is important to maintain lateral pressure in tuning with the long handle wrench, as putting downward pressure on that extra length would tend to tend to rock your tuning pin in its hole. I have never had such a problem, because I insert the head of the wrench directly onto the tuning pin with one hand while gently holding the long end with my other hand. Then, I use the long end to move in a lateral (sideways) direction to accomplish the fine tuning. The least bit of movement from the extra length makes for a very fine degree of tuning! This is also the kind of tuning wrench that hammered dulcimer players use. Ask any of them about it.

So there you have my thoughts on the various kinds of tuning wrenches that are out there today. On my custom made luthier harps, I choose to not have fine tuners ... as I truly can achieve such a fine degree of tuning with the long handle wrench without having to mess with any of the fine tuner cams!

Drew Smith
c/o Great All-American Autoharp Emporium
529 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 / 201 444-2833
drewharpsmith at netzero.net

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