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 and CF-3 Tuning Hammers

The CF-TR and CF-3 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 assembly in your tool kit. You’ll be back to work in seconds! This design of the CF-TR features a tuning shaft that has an outer tube of titanium with an inner tube of carbon fiber for added strength and stiffness. The CF-3 has an ultra high modulus carbon fiber tune, 3/4″ width. You will have a choice of 5, 10, or 15 degree tuning heads.

The announcement below is somewhat old news, but nonetheless relevant:

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 team 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.

Narra CF-TR

Wood specie: Gold narra
Length: 11 3/4″
Weight: 10.8 oz
Price: $357.00
Description: Narra comes from Southeast Asia. The sap wood (outer rings) is a golden color, while the heartwood is a bright red. This handle is actually darker than the photo. It’s a very open grain wood, so I applied more than 20 coats of polyurethane to make it smooth to the touch.

SpectraPly “Royal Camo” CF-TR

Wood specie: SpectraPly “Royal Camo”
Length: 12″
Weight: 10.5 oz
Price: $357.00
Description: SpectraPly is a laminate made with birch veneers dyed with different colors. As you can see, the visual effect is stunning. SpectraPly is an eco friendly product.

Purpleheart CF-TR

Wood species: Purpleheart
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 12.0 ounces
Price: $305.00
Description: This purpleheart lever is the last of my old stock before changing machine shop. I’m selling it “as is” because I don’t have any of the old tuning heads left. The head angle is 10 degrees. Also the handle is a glue-up made with three planks of well aged purpleheart lumber.

Montouchi CF-TR

Wood species: Montouchi
Length: 12″
Weight: 11.6 ounces
Price: $357.00
Description: Montouchi is found in Central America. It’s a medium density wood much like Brazilian cherry. Montouchi wood color varies from pink, red, or dark brown. My camera rather washed out the real color of this one. It’s more a red/brown color.

Padauk CF-TR

Wood species: African padauk
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 12.3 ounces
Price: $357.00
Description: Padauk is a fairly plentiful African wood. Its color can range from bright orange to maroon red to a reddish brown. Ornate grain with lots of figure.

Teak CF-3

Wood: Teak
Length: 13″
Weight: 10.5 ounces
Price: $367.00
Description: If you’re tired of pulling on ultra-tight tuning pins, this one is for you. The length plus a shaft of thick walled carbon fiber will withstand high torque with no perceptible flex. Teak is an Asian hardwood noted for its resistance to rotting. It’s the wood of choice for ship decking.

SpectraPly “Safari” CF-TR

Wood: SpectraPly “Safari”
Length: 12″
Weight: 11.1 ounces
Price: SOLD
Description: Aqua blue and charcoal birch laminates. I don’t see lions and tigers and bears in this Safari, but the colors are soothing.

Gold Narra CF-TR

Wood: Gold narra
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 11.4 ounces
Price: $357.00
Description: Gold narra comes from Southeast Asia. A rather open grained wood much like padauk. So I applied around 25 coats of finish to get the surface a smooth texture. To accentuate the grain, I filled the wood with black epoxy and then sanded it. Nice looking!

Brownheart CF-TR

Wood: Brownheart
Length: 12″
Weight: 12.4 ounces
Price: SOLD
Description: Brownheart grows mostly in Brazil. The wood is dense, and the color is a dark tan with black grains. The grain figuration is very much like bocote.

Mystery Burl CF-TR

Wood: Some kind of burl wood?
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 12.2 ounces
Price:SOLD
Description: This burl wood has been drying on my shelves for years. It’s been so long that I’ve forgotten the exact name of the wood. Nonetheless it’s probably a South American wood judging from its density. The end knob is a bit smaller than normal. The diameter of the knob is 1.80″.