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.

Bocote CF-TR

Wood specie: Bocote
Length: 12 1/2″
Weight: 13.8 oz
Price: SOLD
Description: Bocote is native to Mexico and Central America. It’s hard and dense, and the tan and black figure is outstanding.

SpectraPly “Autumn” CF-TR

Wood specie: SpectraPly “Autumn”
Length: 12 1/2″
Weight: 11.7 oz
Price: $325.00
Description: SpectraPly is a composite made up of dyed birch veneers. A beautiful combination of two earth tones.

Charcoal SpectraPly CF-3

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

Mesquite CF-TR

Wood specie: Figured mesquite
Length: 12″
Weight: 11.8 oz
Price: $325.00
Description: Mesquite grows mainly in Texas and Arizona. This handle has elaborate figure, not often seen on this specie.

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.

Wenge CF-TR by Jacob Erwin

Wood specie: Wenge
Length: 12″
Weight: 13.0 oz
Price: $325.00
Description: Wenge is a South American specie. Its grain is similar to oak; but, thanks to Jacob’s skillful use of CA finish, the grain is completely filled in. And, yes, it’s really that black!

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.

Arizona Ironwood CF-TR

Wood species: Arizona ironwood
Length: 12″
Weight: 15.2 ounces
Price: $365.00
Description: I was lucky to find this ironwood at its source, Tucson, Arizona while I was attend last year’s convention there. A very rare and pricey wood … and HEAVY! But what sets it apart is the unusual gold and brown swirls in the grain.

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: SOLD
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.

Padauk CF-TR

Wood species: African padauk
Length: 12″
Weight: 11.5 ounces
Price: $325.00
Description: Padauk is normally an orange/red color, but this handle is a dark maroon red … somewhat rare! I took pains to completely (almost) fill in the coarse grain.

Zebrawood CF-TR by Jacob Erwin

Length: 12″
Weight: 10.8 oz.
Price: $325.00
Description: I decided to call this one “The Wasp”. It has a slender middle section with a full tear drop knob on the end. Clever!

Burmese Teak CF-TR

Wood species: Burmese teak.
Length: 12 1/4″
Weight: 10.6 oz
Price: SOLD
Description: Teak is noted for its durability and rot resistance. That’s why it was used on sailing ships in earlier times. The wood has a golden color with sap streaks, but it will darken to a light brown color with age.

Curly Maple CF-AR

Wood species: Western long leaf maple
Length: 12 1/2″
Weight: 10.3 oz
Description: This model , the CF-AR, features a 7075 aluminum tube reinforced with carbon fiber both on the inside and outside. The ball on the handle is a full 2 1/8″ in diameter making it comfortable to grasp on the end.

Bubinga CF-TR

Wood species: African bubinga
Length: 11 3/4″
Weight: 12.4 oz
Price: SOLD
Description: Bubinga is a member of the rosewood family. Its color goes from a pink violet to an orange red (like this one). The wood is dense and highly durable.