Frequently Asked Questions
The "Verdi Tuning Forks" are: A=432 Hz (the 6th above Middle C= 256 Hz, known as the Verdi "la"), C=128 Hz (the octave below C=256 Hz), and C=512 Hz (the octave above C=256 Hz). All other Hz fall into custom groups: Group A Tuning Forks are unweighted from 256 Hz to 6,000 Hz; Group B Tuning Forks are unweighted from 100 Hz to 255 Hz; Group C Tuning Forks are weighted from 257 Hz to 528 Hz; Group D Tuning Forks are weighted from 81 Hz to 256 Hz; and Group E Tuning Forks are weighted from 30 Hz to 80 Hz. You can order any Hz to your specifications, and have them ready within 5 to 8 weeks.
We will produce any Hz you need, up to 2 decimal places, from 30 Hz up to 6,000 Hz. The forks are listed in five frequency groups:
Group A: 256 Hz to 6000 Hz Unweighted -- $38.99
Group B: 100 Hz to 255 Hz Unweighted -- $49.75
Group C: 257 Hz to 528 Hz Weighted -- $46.98
Group D: 81 Hz to 256 Hz Weighted -- $51.74
Group E: 30 Hz to 80 Hz Weighted -- $63.00
Enter the frequency or frequencies that you need and the quantity of each. Please allow 5 to 8 weeks for production.
More and more people are using Tuning Forks, including those who had previously preferred electronic and computer generated tones to get a particular musical pitch or vibration. Once used primarily by musicians and science class, today you will see tuning forks used in many other fields as well: medical offices (neurology, hearing, medical students), on the battlefield or stadium, and in alternative medicine for diagnostics, healing and therapy. Teachers use them for classroom education, research and sound experiments in schools, and they are used in law enforcement for speed calibration. Musicians -- singers, choir directors, string instrumentalists, guitar players and others appreciate the naturally vibrating, non-electronic tone of the Tuning Fork. Healing and sound experts employ both weighted and unweighted Tuning Forks for stress reduction, relaxation, pain management, and many other therapeutic functions.
The pitch of your Tuning Fork will always be precisely the same for the weighted or unweighted. Group B (lower frequency) Tuning Forks, from 30 Hz to 99 Hz, should always be weighted, and that is already considered in the price. These large Tuning Forks are unwieldy if they are not weighted. The Group A Custom Hz and our Standard Hz Tuning Forks can be ordered weighted or unweighted, depending on your own preference. Specific frequency (Hz) is a product of length, width, thickness, and elasticity. Weights on the Tuning fork increase the mass at the ends of the prongs. This lowers the Hz in a shorter, easier to use length, and transfers more energy to the handle, so that the vibration is deeper and can be felt in the stem (handle.) The Middle C 256 Hz is used equally in its weighted and unweighted version. Although many healers prefer the overtones of the unweighted 128 Hz, others prefer the deeper vibration with the 128 Hz weighted fork. We have fulfilled numerous orders of higher Hz tuning forks with weights, although for very high frequency forks, we advise that the weights will shorten the ring time of the tone. We can produce unweighted Group B (30 Hz to 99 Hz) tuning forks for you by special request, at increased cost, as we have done for physics classes. Let us know your specifications.
No. When you order a weighted Tuning Fork, the weights are permanent, because the tuning fork is calibrated precisely with the weights, and removing them would change the frequency. We do have 2 items with removable weights: the student-grade 7-Frequency Adjustable Tuning Fork, with the 128 Hz, 144 Hz, 160 Hz, 170.7 Hz, 192 Hz, 213.3 Hz and 240 Hz calibration markings engraved in the Tuning Fork. When the weights are removed, it is 240 Hz. We also carry the 165-256 Tuning Fork for medical use, calibrated to 165 Hz with weights and 256 unweighted, which may be ordered by email.
Yes, we can add weights to any Custom Hz or Standard Hz Tuning Fork (only $8.50 additional per item). You can specify which items you need weighted on the product page within the store. And you may email with special requests. Frequencies above 500 Hz should not be weighted. The ring-tone will be shortened.
SWB 256 Tuning Forks are produced from the highest grade materials to ensure superior performance: non-tarnishing, non-corroding and non-rusting aerospace-grade, non-magnetic aluminum. The alloy was developed specifically for creating Tuning Forks with the most accurate tonal reproduction and the longest lasting ring tone, at an affordable price. Produced in the USA, they are FDA registered and Europe CE certified. Your SWB 256 Tuning Forks will perform flawlessly and last a lifetime with normal use and proper care.
Strike the Tuning Fork on our rubber activator, or with a hard or soft rubber mallet or ball hammer. Use the harder (gray or black) hammer for the higher frequencies. Always hold the Tuning Fork at the stem, not on the tines (prongs) and just tap the prong on the activator. You can just use the fleshy part of your hand, elbow, thigh or knee also to activate the tuning fork- tapping it gently on those parts of your body. Listen as you hold the Tuning Fork up to your ear, and you will hear the tone of the Hz which is engraved on the Tuning Fork. It is recommended that you do not slam the fork on metal, although you may gently tap 2 tuning forks together if desired.
Yes, the length of the standard stem is 1 5/8 to 2 inches. A longer stem of 2 ½ to 3 inches is available as an add-on to each tuning fork. The stem length varies by frequency.
Please visit our Sets and Scales page HERE. This page provides most of the info you will need, or you can call or email us at Tuning@swb256.com. SWB 256 recommends the Verdi Tuning, which sets Middle C at 256 Hz and Verdi’s La or A at 432 Hz. This is determined physically, by the human singing voice rather than mathematical calculation.
Yes, the optimal temperature is 68-70 degrees F, which is normal room temperature (20 degrees Celsius) So if you are coming in from the freezing weather with your tuning fork, you may want to wait a bit until it reaches room temp for best results.
Yes, we ship to international locations. The default shipping rate options are based on a selection of USPS and UPS published rates. Send us an email if you have a special request. NOTE: International buyers are responsible for all Customs fees upon delivery.
Yes, we can gift wrap or remove the price on the packing slip. Please EMAIL for additional information.