“A quick thumbs up and thanks to Randy Cassotto of CASSOTTO LEVERS for making me a new custom tuning lever. I’ve always favored the feel of steel levers like old hale and more recently Jahn, but this feather-light and gorgeous carbon fiber lever with a Macassar ebony handle may just change my mind. I’ve been using it with the new CASSOTTO PRESTIGE TIPS #2 and #1, and a 10˚ head. The #2 tip fits just tad deeper than my Jahn #2 but that’s a good thing as it reduces the pin flex. There is some vertical rocking but it hugs the pin thoroughly at its end allowing you to turn the pin in the block in tiniest increments. The control is excellent overall. If you want to feel the pin, steel is still the ticket, but some isolation is not a bad thing. It just takes getting used to it. I think I found my new favorite.”
— Mario Igrec, Author of “Pianos Inside Out: A Comprehensive Guide To Piano Tuning, Repairing, & Rebuilding”
“This lever handles beautifully. The majority of the weight is at the ball, which not only allows you the ability to feel the most minute movements, but makes for easing repositioning of the tip without ever having to take your hand off the ball.”
— Matt Crudo, RPT
“I absolutely love it!! I’ve tuned 3 uprights with it already. I love the leverage of a 14” tool on uprights, and the carbon fiber provides me with the ability to feel the pins. They are very sensitive for the turning zone to tuning zone transitions. I love the red color too!!”
— RUSSELL GALLMAN, CPT, RPT
“This post comes a bit late due to exam season, but here it is!! My very first tuning lever, beautifully constructed by @cassottolevers is here!! It was a tall(and very difficult) order to have Randy adhere designs that I drew to a lever, but he did a GORGEOUS job. The lever is lightweight, sensitive to the smallest movements and makes tuning a dream! Thank you Randy, I LOVE IT!!! ❤ ❤ ❤”
— Brittany York, PT
“Love love love my lever. It does what you tell it to and it instills a sense of pride in my work.”
— James Romig
“When I recently turned 70 with no plans for retirement, I decided to treat myself to a really nice custom lever to use on this last and hopefully long leg of my tuning journey. I contacted Randy Cassotto and furnished him with my specs for my perfect lever and he made one that was way beyond my expectations. It tunes like a dream and even though it is the same length, it is 2.5oz lighter than my Fujan! The small head is great for visibility and accessibility in tight places. Would highly recommend!”
— Dave Bunch
“Being able to customize the tool for the size and look I wanted, made it worth it the most to me!”
— Rich Lindahl
“He’s created a tuning lever that’s light and well-balanced, with a carbon-fiber core that’s absolutely rigid and transfers the most subtle information from the tuning pin to my hand. It’s not only an excellent tool, it’s a work of art, worthy of some of the pianos I’m fortunate enough to have in my care. It’s not the cheapest. But neither are the pianos I prefer to service. And when I consider the time he likely spent in its creation, a bargain.. Some call it a hammer. Others a lever, or wrench. But this.. this is a wand.”
— Shawn Skylark
“This lever is absolutely amazing. I’ve been using a Faulk hammer for about 16 years and didn’t think, other than swapping out the tip, that there could be room for much improvement. But it has been a joy to be wrong. 🤣 I have experienced noticeable improvements and differences with yours and the ability to fine tune and opportunity it provides to focus on further technique improvements is welcomed. I honestly consider myself a very picky person with sometimes unreasonable expectations 😵😫 but your lever exceeded my expectations. Thank you again!”
— Stephen Scarborough
“My new Cassotto Tuning Lever arrived; it’s not only beautiful, but feels and responds masterfully. I used a Hale Rosewood hammer for about 20 years (bleh), then moved up to a Fujan 8 years ago (it’s great). This one, however, is extraordinary.”
— Giovanni Voltaggio
“I just wanted to let you know that I love my tuning lever. It is beautiful and works like magic too. Thank you for all the effort. Hopefully I will be able to keep it scratch free!”
— Leonard De Beer
“I’ve had 3 levers from Randy and I love them all! This one just inspires me every day and I’m so grateful for Randy’s craftsmanship! Thank you Randy!!!”
— Skye Meadow Jenkins
“I tuned my first piano with it yesterday. A kawai Shigeru. It’s just so much better than the other one. I absolutely love the shape of the handles you make. It’s the perfect fit for me.”
