Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    
    	'...need constant maintenace?'
    
    	Pretty much.  Being an amplified mechanical instrument, it will
    (just like an acoustic piano) respond to weather and use.
    
    	If you can't afford a stroboscope, tuning to a synth sounds
    like a good idea.  But make sure the synth is in tune!  First
    check the synth's overall pitch with a tuning fork (or that
    guitar tuner thing) and correct if necessary.  Also, recheck
    the synth's tuning every now and then.  Boards heat up, oscillators
    drift.  You don't want to be tuning against a moving reference.
    
    	Also, how old is it?  Those little springs on the tines (tynes?)
    that are used for tuning can loosen up with time.
    
    							- Karl

    When I had to tune two electronic instruments together, I tried
    to beat them against each other, as mentioned in .0.  I found that
    my ear isn't good enough to do this reliably, so I found a way
    to do it visually.  I fed both audio signals to my mixer, and sent
    the combined sound to a VU meter.  I then tune one instrument
    until the needle wags very slowly.  My ear is good enough to tell
    if the instruments are at different octaves, so this technique
    works for me, and is fairly fast.
        John Sauter

    I've owned my Stage Rhodes since 1974, and only had it tuned
    TWICE. It's still studio quality, and hasn't been tuned now for
    a year and a 1/2. A couple of ideas:
    -Is it bounced around a lot ? If yes, then consider handling it
    much more carefully. 
    -You notice the little tuning springs that clamp on the tines. Those
    *can* lose some spring/grip and move, esp. if the piano is moved
    a lot. A complete set of springs should be orderable from your 
    local Rhodes dealer. 
    -I've also heard of the swaged tines themselves being bad. This
    shows up (I hear) as breaking. I've only broken one.
    -My main problem is playing around with the relative note volumes
    and overtone adjustments. harder PVC hammers can give a more
    brilliant tone. 
    -Get yourself one of those strangely shaped tuning keys.
    -Realize if you tune to your synth you are losing the 'stretch'
    that is inherent in all acoustic keyboard tuning methods. It
    will be easier to overdub with but will sound duller when played
    alone. 
    -I am ADDICTED to the Rhodes thru a stereo chorus unit. Even very
    subtle. the Rhodes on its own just doesn't make it anymore !
    
    Hope this helps.                 karl

    I own an ACOUSTYX electronic tuner.  When you play a note into it, it
    gives you a digital readout of the frequency you played into it.  With
    this and a note/frequency chart, you can get every note registered, not
    just the limited range you get with a guitar tuner. 
         I once had an RMI Electronic piano.  I used this tuner on it with 
    great success. I bought the tuner about 4 years ago.  I have not seen
    any around for about 3 years.  I no longer have the piano, so I
    don't have a need for this tuner any more.  
         If your ears are like mine, you probably need an electronic
    device to help you tune.
    
    						Mike
    

    	I have heard that the oscilloscope method is the best way. As
    far as I know, there's more to it than simply setting the correct
    pitch. Apparently, using the oscilloscope, you can adjust the pickup
    such that the overtones render a brighter tone.
    	From the sounds of this, I reckon that it's a full day's work.
    However, I did hear such a tuned Rhodes, and it was great.
    Jim Burke