Tuning forks

[Richard Offen]

> 
> The bells I previously mentioned were all tuned by forks
> and are superb examples of tuning at its best.  Evesham
> were also tuned with forks alone and perhaps David can
> confirm Evesham were tuned by Paul Taylor.  A modern
> C-sharp ring does not have the magic of Evesham. 

Please explain to us what you think the difference is between a bell 
tuned using tuning-forks and one using an electronic pitching device?

Both tuning-forks and electronic pitch measuring devices are merely a 
fixed reference point, which enable an accurate determination of the 
frequency of any given partial tone.   What is done with that 
information is the important thing, NOT how it is obtained.

I know several organ tuners who now use an electronic pitch reference 
when tuning an organ.   The main difference with this tuning (and 
that of a piano) and tuning a bell, is that adjustments are easily 
made in either direction.   An organ or piano tuner can quite safely 
do his or her tuning by ear as the process is reversible, the process 
involved in tuning a bell is not, therefore fixed references such as 
tuning-forks, or an electronic device, have to be used so as not to 
make expensive mistakes.

The difference between a ring tune with forks and one tuned with an 
electronic device is pure nostalgia!

Richard