Faulk Tuning Hammers

I figure I’ve tuned over 25,000 pianos in my life, and I’ve definitely become sensitized to the process. The stability of my tuning depends on setting the pin properly, and to do that I’ve spent 35 years developing pin sensitivity in my body. Finally, finally, Charles Faulk has made a tuning lever that frees me to use all of that experience. The Faulk carbon fiber/aluminum lever allows a level of pin perception and “micro” movement that is truly extraordinary, leading to more fun and less work, more “in-the-zone” moments and far less frustration. It’s the best tuning lever I’ve ever used by two or three orders of magnitude.”

~David Andersen

CF-TR Tuning Hammers

I’m introducing the new line of CF-TR tuning hammers. These tuning levers feature a threaded head/shaft connection that will allow you to change heads easily in the field. If you are a frequent tip changer, this design will be especially helpful. All you will need to do is to keep an extra head/tip assemblies in your tool kit. You’ll be back to work in seconds! This design features a tuning shaft that has an outer tube of titanium with an inner tube of carbon fiber for added strength and stiffness. You will have a choice of 5, 10, or 15 degree tuning heads.

Announcement: At the age of 72, I’ve felt for a long time that I needed to pass this joyful business, this stroke of luck, to a younger person. But let me say at the outset of this paragraph, I’m not retiring! Well, not yet. I thought I’d wait until I got old! Anyway, this ‘younger person’ is my friend and colleague, Jacob Erwin. Jacob has all the enthusiasm and all the skill to take these tuning hammers to another level. I think most of you will know Jacob as part of the best piano rebuilding teams in the country, Erwin’s Piano Restoration. So I’m happy to introduce some of Jacob’s work on this page.

Important news: I’m happy to tell you that I’m introducing a new enhancement to my tuning hammers … Itoshin tips! Itoshin in a premium tuning tip from Japan that provides incredible tip-to-pin fit. From this point on, all my tuning hammers will be equipped with Itoshin tips.

“Crossbones” SpectraPly CF-3

Wood specie: SpectraPly
Length: 13″
Weight: 11.0 oz
Price: $335.00
Description: The CF-3 is a new model featuring a high modulus 3/4″ carbon fiber tube shaft. The shiny metal cap below the tuning head is a 7075 aluminum fitting to adapt to the head. This carbon fiber tube exceeds steel in rigidity. I’ve been testing the beta model for three years now, and I’m very happy with the results.

Western Curly Maple CF-3

Wood specie: Western Long Leaf Curly Maple
Length: 13 1/2″
Weight: 9.6 oz
Price: $335.00
Description: A new model, the CF-3 is an all carbon fiber lever made with high modulus .100″ wall tubing. Nice curl!

Charcoal SpectraPly CF-3

Wood specie: Charcoal SpectraPly
Length: 13 1/4″
Weight: 10.7 oz
Price: $335.00
Description: SpectraPly is a birch composite made with dyed veneers. Same as above, high modulus carbon fiber shaft. Very light, well balanced.

Quilted Maple CF-3

Wood specie: Quilted Western maple
Length: 13 1/4″
Weight: 9.6 oz
Price: #335.00
Description: The quilting pattern gives the wood a layered effect. Also a lot of curl in the wood.

Coolibah Burl CF-TR

Wood specie: Coolibah burl
Length: 12 5/8″
Weight: 13.9oz
Price: $345.00
Description: Coolibah is an Australian specie. This piece was cut from a large burl cap about 10 years ago. I almost threw it away because of all the deep checks in the wood. Finally I tried infusing the entire piece with water thin epoxy, twice. So the black stripes are actually epoxy filler. It was well worth the time and effort. By the way, if you haven’t noticed, this tuning hammer is heavy.

SpectraPly “Crossbones” CF-TR

Wood specie: SpectraPly
Length: 12″
Weight: 11.0 oz
Price: $325.00
Description: Crossbones is one of my favorite SpectraPly designs. Its simplicity has a certain Zen-like quality.

Canxan Negro Burl CF-TR, #1

Wood specie: Canxan negro burl
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 12.0 oz
Price: $345.00
Description: Canxan negro is a dense hardwood found in Mexico down to Brazil. It’s noted for its golden brown swirls and areas of dark burl eyes. This one took years to dry properly. The knob on the end has a diameter of 1.80″.

Canxan Negro Burl CF-TR, #2

Wood species: Canxan negro burl
Length: 12 3/8″
Weight: 13.3 oz
Price: $345.00
Description: The description is same as the one above. This handle is the other half of a long burl square, and it has much more burl configuration. I filled in some of the natural openings on this one, but I decided it would be more interesting if some of the crevices were left in place.

Charcoal SpectraPly CF-3

Wood species:Charcoal SpectraPly
Length: 13 1/4″
Weight: 10.6 oz
Price: $335.00
Description: To add to the description of the CF-3, the shiny aluminum fitting has a robust .125″ wall and it weighs only about 1 ounce.

Zebrawood CF-TR

Wood species: Zebrawood (dyed Empire red)
Length: 13″
Weight: 11.2 ounces
Price: $325.00
Description: Yes, this really is zebrawood! It’s dyed red. I got this idea from an NBSS student named Jennifer Chen. The result is a highly accentuated grain, and it looks a lot like bloodwood without the extra weight. Thanks, Jennifer!

Padauk CF-TR by Jacob Erwin

Wood species: African padauk
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 11.7 ounces
Price:$325.00
Description: A rich red-orange padauk handle with a shiny epoxy finish. Jacob lends his own original interpretation to the shape with smooth transitions from end to end.

Claro Walnut CF-AR

Wood species: Claro walnut
Length: 12 7/8″
Weight: 9.9 ounces
Price: $335.00
Description: The claro walnut has traces of burl in the handle. A Western specie, it has lot of color contrasts and swirling grain. Like all the CF-AR models, the 7075 aluminum shaft is reinforced with carbon fiber tubing both on the inside and outside.

Ember Glow SpectraPly CF-TR

Wood species: Ember Glow SpectraPLy
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 10.9 ounces
Price: $325.00
Description: SpectraPly is a multilayered composite made of dyed birch veneers. As you can see in the photo, the effect is colorful.

Andira CF-TR

Length: 11 13/4″
Weight: 12.6 oz.
Price: $325.00
Description: Andira is found abundantly in Central America. It has a coarse grain, but it sands to a smooth finish. The ball on the end is extra large, 2 1/4″ in diameter.