----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Pomeroy" <[log in to unmask]> > Third attempt to post this message: >> >> Vocalion probably used a spring driven cutter, and they were >> less reliable than the weight driven ones (according to Ralph >> Peer). If we knew Johnson tuned his guitar perfectly (re: >> 'A' 440), correct pitching would be a piece of cake. He probably >> didn't, but still it was probably not too far off, especially if he >> played with other musicians playing un-tunable instruments >> (e.g., harmonicas). >> RJ NEVER recorded with a harp player; whether he ever worked with one I can't say! However, as a "harp player," I can tell you that I was driven around the bend by trying to sit in with guitarists who were tuned to their own "internal" standards...which usually had NO relation to things like "A 440!" The current proliferation of small "tuner pedals" have to a great extent corrected this; however, I still run across many acoustic guitarists whose tuning is based on their personal whims!! Steven C. Barr