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TESTIMONIALS
Cassotto levers
A PREMIUM CARBON FIBER LEVER & TIP COMPANY
I Have Assembled All American Companies for the fabrication of Every Lever
2 metal fabrication companies in Connecticut
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2 metals engineers in Connecticut
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1 heat treating company in Connecticut
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1 carbon fiber fabricator in the midwest US
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1 epoxy maker in the midwest US
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1 cyanoacyrlate company from the west-coast of the US
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domestic & exotic wood distributors from Connecticut & all over
MADE IN CONNECTICUT WITH AMERICAN METALS.
Randy Cassotto began making tuning levers in 2003 at Craft Supplies, a wood turning company in Provo, Utah. During this time, he apprenticed with RPT, Keith Kopp, in piano technology in the wasatch county.
During the 2020 Covid-19 shutdown, Randy designed & developed a completely new generation of customizable carbon fiber levers.
Randy making a heirloom lever
Our Made In USA
CASSOTTO Prestige Tips
Our Premium ©️RC-Flex Finish.
We use a special mix of 2-part epoxy & special cyanoacrylate which adds a hard protective coating finish with minimal flexibility over the wood substrate. It’s a finish I’ve been working on perfecting for our carbon fiber Cassotto Levers.
SIZES & STYLES
CLASSIC LEVER
available Lengths
11" (27.94cm), 12" (30.48cm), 14" (35.56cm)
available ball Diameter
2 1/4" (5.715cm), 2 3/8" (6.0325cm), 2 1/2" (6.35cm), & 2 5/8" (6.667cm)
Our specially designed ergonomic ball fits comfortably in the palm of the hand with our flagship "flattened edge" circular ball. This also gives an excellent hand-grip, allowing the user to lift the tip without ever having to remove the hand from the ball. You can choke up on the secondary ball grip below the thumb depression to add a different feel to the torque.
LINEAR LEVER
available Lengths
11" (27.94cm), 12" (30.48cm), 14" (35.56cm)
Available Handle Diameter
1 3/8" (3.49cm)
This lever is a new generation of the old heritage levers technicians have become accustomed to when learning the trade before the invention of the classic ball levers. Ours is not only very stiff, but lightweight and stylish. These are truly a "must-have."
SIDEKICK LEVER
available Lengths
8" (20.32cm)
Available Handle Diameter
1 1/2" (3.81cm)
Packing quite a punch in a compact size. These are very useful for spinets where opening the lid all the way or the clearance for tuning is hindered (spinets with "v" shaped large lids such as Acrosonics, etc.) They’re also great for grands where the lid might not be easily lifted (pictures, low ceilings in odd corners, etc.) giving great clearance from lid hinges.
TESTIMONIALS
Mario Igrec, RPT & Author of Pianos Inside Out: A Comprehensive Guide to Piano Tuning, Repairing, and Rebuilding igrecpiano.com
"A quick thumbs up and thanks to Randy Cassotto of 88 On Pitch 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 a 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."
DCC Piano Company
dcpianos.com
"This lever handles beautifully. The majority of it's weight is at the ball, which not only allows you the ability to feel the most minute movements, but makes for easy repositioning of the tip without ever having to take your hand off the ball."
Dave Bunch, Piano Technician davebunchpiano.com
"When I recently turned 70 with no plans for retirement, I decided to treat myself to a really nice custom made 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 2.5 ounces lighter than my Fujan! The small head is also great for visibility and accessibility in tight places. Would highly recommend!"
Brittany York @the_sound_inspired
"My very first tuning lever, beautifully constructed by @cassottolevers is here!! It was a tall (and very difficult) order to have Randy adhere to designs that I drew to a lever, but he did a gorgeous job. The lever is lightweight, sensitive to the smallest movements, and make tuning a dream! Thank you, Randy, I love it!"
William Trotman
pianofix.net
"I also have the quick change tip technology. All carbon fiber/wood technology. In my opinion, Randy raised the bar on the 2 industry standards."
James Romig
romigpianos.com
"Love Love Love my lever. It does what you tell it to and it instills a sense of pride in my work."
William Mon
Piano Rescuers pianorescuers.com
"It replaced my Fujan lever upon trying my shiny, new custom lever. The interchangeable tip is extremely seamless! Also, I now love that my hammer has a ton of personality and my clients will go 'what kind of tuning lever is that?!"
Skye Meadows Jenkins, @skyemeadowspiano
"My new tuning lever from @88onpitch @cassottotuninglevers I love it 😍 🤩 ✨ It's great 🙌 I just tuned a Yamaha with it. Such a relief --it's less physical effort for more discrete tuning pin movements 😅"
Rebecca Kayorie
Piano Technician
"I love my hammer!!!!! I've used it twice so far and it's my new 'go-to'. I tuned a Wurlitzer spinet yesterday and a high gloss Yamaha today. I think it was shinier than the Yamaha, HAHAHA! I was able to stand while I tune, which I never do with my impact hammer. And it's sooooooo light! Beautiful work, Randy."
Shawn Skylark
skylarkpiano.com
"Big shout-out to Randy Cassotto. 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."
WOOD CHOICES
(subject to availability)
 CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY African Mahogany is an exotic wood with a deep reddish brown color. The grain can be straight, but is typically interlocking. Working this wood is generally easy but tearing can occur when planing. It often has a shimmering figure. African Mahogany is popular for furniture, cabinetry, joinery, boat building and veneers. Janka Hardness: 1100lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.53 Cost: $25 |  Black Palm is an exotic wood that is hard and dense, with stringy type grain. Somewhat difficult to machine, needs sharp tools, distinctive end grain. Janka Hardness: 2020lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.88 Cost: $25 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Bloodwood is an exotic wood that is sometimes referred to as cardinal wood, for its obvious beautiful deep rose color. With age its color does darken, but not significantly so it is a great wood to use in intarsia projects. Janka Hardness: 2900lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.96 Cost: $25 |
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 Bocote is an exotic wood native to Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. It features a wide range of grain patterns from straight to wild, with curved lines and swirls. The color ranges from golden brown to tan to golden yellow. It is a hard, heavy, and dense wood, strong and stiff, with a medium texture. Mainly used for custom pool cues, cabinetry, veneer, furniture, inlays, knife handles, and pens. Janka Hardness: 2010lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.73 Cost: $35 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Bolivian Rosewood is an exotic wood with beautiful, rosewood like wood with black striping on top of a dark brown background. Bolivian Rosewood undergoes a substantial degree of color change as the wood lightens over time and more so in direct sunlight from the darker brown tones to lighter gold/tan tones with a muting the fresh milled color variation. Janka Hardness: 1960lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.84 Cost: $35 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Bubinga is an exotic wood from Central Africa. It is initially pinky-red, but darkens with age. It is popular for tool handles, decorative veneers, turnery, boatbuilding, knife handles, and can be used as an alternative to rosewood. Janka Hardness: 2410lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.88 Cost: $30 |
 Canarywood is an exotic wood that is yellow to orange in color, typically variegated with light to dark red streaking. It has a medium to high luster. It can be some what variable in density, it is mostly a hard, heavy and strong wood. Works very easily with both hand and power tools and finishes very smoothly. An exceptional exotic wood from South America. Janka Hardness: 1520lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.74 Cost: $20 |  Chakte Viga is a tropical hardwood from Mexico. The heartwood color varies slightly from pale to rich reddish orange. Chakte Viga is sometimes referred to as Paela. The grain is typically straight, but can be interlocking. It is reported to have good tonal qualities and is popular in both instrument building and wood turning. The wood can darken with exposure to light. Janka Hardness: 2250lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.85 Cost: $20 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY East Indian Rosewood is an exotic wood native to the Southern India peninsula, and is prized for its use in custom pool cues, furniture, and cabinetry. The color varies from golden brown to dark purple brown, with a unique striped figure. It is hard and dense, with a coarse texture and good stability. Janka Hardness: 2440lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.76 Cost: $40 |
 CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Cocobolo is an exotic wood native to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and is favored for custom pool cues, fine furniture and cabinetry, inlays, and musical instruments. The wood is very durable and strong, with a fine texture. It is extremely beautiful, ranging in color from dark red to reddish brown, with an irregular grain pattern. Janka Hardness: 2960lbf | Specific Gravity: 1.10 Cost: $90 |  Mango is an eco-friendly wood native to Hawaii. Similar to Olivewood, Mango trees are often harvested for lumber after they stop bearing fruit. Heartwood is usually golden-brown, but streaks of color can be found such as pink, yellow, and even black. The wood is often figured with curly grain and sometimes contains spalting. Janka Hardness: 1100lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.60 Cost: $20 |  Goncalo Alves is native to South America and ranges in color from light to deep reddish-brown. It is very hard and naturally rot resistant. Janka Hardness: 2160lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.86 Cost: $25 |
 The hard maple is the state tree of Wisconsin, Vermont, New York and West Virginia. In the North, during the cold nights and warm days of late winter, the sugar maple is tapped for its sucrose-containing sap, the source of maple syrup. Until the turn of the century, the heels of women's shoes were made from maple. Maple has been a favorite of American furniture makers since early Colonial days. Janka Hardness: 1450lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.72 Cost: $0 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Granadillo is an exotic wood that is bright red to reddish or purplish brown, with rather distinct stripes. The sapwood is clearly distinct from the heartwood, and is almost white in color. It is hard and superior to Teak and probably Mahogany. The wood is exceptionally heavy. It weighs much more than Hard maple or Teak in the green or seasoned condition. The density of the wood is very high. Janka Hardness: 2700lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.88 Cost: $20 |  Katalox is an exotic wood that is native to Central America. It is far superior in strength to either Teak or Hard maple. Strength qualities in compression parallel to grain are exceptionally high. It is very hard - much harder than White oak, Hard maple, or Teak. The wood is exceptionally heavy. It weighs much more than Hard maple or Teak in the green or seasoned condition. The wood is very dense. Janka Hardness: 3660lbf | Specific Gravity: 1.04 Cost: $25 |
 CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Nicaraguan Rosewood is also known as Yucatan Rosewood and Panama Rosewood. This species works easily with hand and power tools. It glues and turns well, and can be buffed to a good polish. Nicaraguan Rosewood is reported to have fewer cases of allergic reactions than other rosewoods. Janka Hardness: 1210lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.63 Cost: $35 |  Also sometimes know as "Serpentwood", Marblewood has distinctive patterning and can be polished to a high luster. It can be somewhat difficult to work, with interlocking and coarse grain. Janka Hardness: 2532lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.85 Cost: $45 |  Padauk is an exotic wood that is a bright orange or almost crimson wood when freshly cut, but oxidizes to a darker, rich purple-brown over time - although it stays redder than Indian Rosewood. Slightly harder and heavier than Indian Rosewood it is a good wood in all respects - stable, and easy to work with. It often grows in small groups and is reported to be common in dense equatorial rain forests. Janka Hardness: 1970lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.72 Cost: $35 |
 Redheart is an exotic wood with dull pink to moderately bright red and fades considerably with long exposure to UV. There is sometimes a purple area at the juncture between the heartwood and the sapwood. Janka Hardness: 1200lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.68 Cost: $40 |  CANNOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY Wenge is an exotic wood with a natural growth range of the species is reported to be the open forests of Zaire, Cameroon, Gabon, the southern regions of Tanzania, and Mozambique. It is also found in the swampy forests of the Congo region. Wenge is reported to be a suitable substitute for Hickory for the production of sporting goods. Janka Hardness: 1930lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.80 Cost: $45 |  Spalted Tamarind is a beautiful exotic wood often found laying on the forest floor. The rotting effect on Tamarind creates the spalted look that varies from piece to piece. Popular wood for turnery and other fine woodworkings. Janka Hardness: 2318lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.90 Cost: $35 |
 Walnut is an all-around popular choice for woodworking. It has a fine texture and works extremely well with hand and power tools. Walnut is prized for use in furniture, cabinets, cutting boards, gunstocks, and a multitude of other projects. Janka Hardness: 1010lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.56 Cost: $0 |  Trees often attain heights of 70 to 80 feet, with trunk diameters of 24 to 36 inches. The grain is described as bold, straight, moderately open with an occasional wavy pattern. Plainsawn boards usually have strong contrast in grain. The narrow sapwood is nearly white in color. While the heartwood is pale brown, grayish brown, light brown, or pale yellow streaked with brown. Janka Hardness: 1320lbf | Specific Gravity: 0.66 Cost: $0 |
A classic lever with a primary ball and secondary grip can be about 5x more stiff than steel @ 1/2 the weight
Rotational forces do not flex the carbon fiber core. Carbon fiber will flex just before its breaking point. Our carbon fiber is rated at 130msi (million pounds per square inch) with a 3k twill external wall.
The point of flex is closest to the tip & head (insert). we use a solid, USA-Grade case hardened steel alloy to minimize flex at the pin.
OUR OWN PRESTIGE TIPS
"The Prestige #1 tips are superb, fitting the smaller Asian tuning pins perfectly, as well as many Steinways. The control is exceptional, and is one of the best if not the best tips on the market today! You will not be disappointed!"
- Brian Knox, Keyboard Technician for Luther College
How We Are Paving The Way To A New Industry Standard
C A S S O T T O P R E S T I G E
#1 & #2
Made in multi-stages in our various machining, plating, & metals fab shops in Connecticut.
Use a tip that fits the pin the best it can. The better the fit, the better your tuning results.
Our tips not only model the star-pattern from the famous BKB tips, but we've engineered them out of an alloy that is low in carbon, resulting in excellent strength-to-weight ratio, power, & durability.
We case harden & treat our parts with a black oxide finish, giving them an added barrier of protection & beauty. With this type of alloy, we've made the core ever-so-slightly softer while hardening the exterior shell; it's an incredibly tough metal. Through studies, we've found this greatly reduced brittleness, fatigue, & fracture which has happened on cheaper alloys.
Our Connecticut metals team has worked diligently to perfect the science of these tips.
Questions & Answers
Do your tips fit all levers?
UPDATE December 2022: Our new tips should fit more levers like Faulk, Reyburn, some Fujans depending on threading and style (if you have a Jahn tip with the thread mated to the tip, our tips will not work on that model of Fujan), Jahn heads (they will need our insert), and anything with a true 3/8-30 male post. Our threading precision comes directly from Vermont Gage, a company who sets the highest standards for accuracy.
What makes your tips grip the pins?
We use an EDM process which electronically charges the tip to form the desired pattern of the star pattern. It's extremely accurate and consistent.
Are all tuning pins the same?
No. Even high-end piano manufacturers ( I will not name who ) do not have the most consistent tuning pin slopes and diameter. I've seen some pianos which have MULTIPLE varying exterior wall posts on their tuning pins. Even the most perfected tip will be closer to one becket on one pin and further away on another. This is why it's impossible to make a tuning tip which fits perfectly on all pianos, but ours fits the best.
What are your tips made from?
We use a case-hardened steel alloy that is an incredibly strong material. The black oxide adds a further layer of protection and hardening to our tip inserts & tips. The wear on our material is superior to various types of stainless steels.
Should I order the #1 Prestige, #2 Prestige, #3 Prestige, or all?
It is strongly advised that you purchase all tips. If you are on a budget, purchasing the #2 & #3 should get you far but you should budget the #1 soon if you tune newer Steinways or many Asian pianos. After reading the question above about "Are all tuning pins the same?", this gives the exact reason. We have also charted out our tests below on which tips fit best on pianos of varying manufacturers.
Our #1 Prestige fits tuning pins snug like the #2 BKB tip and our #2 Prestige fits like the #3 BKB. Our #3 is our own design that fits like our #2 but further down onto the becket. Strong, versatile, and a 'must-have' for all technicians who want maximum control at the pin. Mated for the threaded release technology.
Our tuning pin-to-tip-fit studies
UPDATE JANUARY 2023: This list will be updated shortly.
ORDER
SINGLE TIP: $155
ANY 2 TIPS: $1O OFF EACH
ALL 3 TIPS: $15 OFF EACH
ALL 3 TIPS w/ LEVER: $75 OFF TOTAL & FREE SHIPPING
1 STEEL INSERT: $65
2 EXTRA STEEL INSERTS: $10 OFF EACH
Tip Compatibility Pre-November 2022
#1, #2, #3 CASSOTTO PRESTIGE TIPS
MADE IN CONNECTICUT WITH US ALLOY METALS
Designed with a premium steel alloy and black oxide finish, our super durable tips fit like a glove. They pair perfectly with any of our CASSOTTO Levers, along with most Faulk, Fujan, and Reyburn levers. Want to know for sure? Mail me your head, tip insert, or lever and I will check the fit for you.
tips & inserts only
order all 3 tips w/ an 11" lever & SAVE $45 + free domestic shipping
or get free shipping when you spend $800
Custom Classic, Linear, or Hybrid Lever w/ Personalized Logo (if desired)
11" CASSOTTO LEVER w/ all 3 Prestige Tips
TOTAL $499 lever + $465 tips = $964
$964 - $45 OFF = $919 & FREE SHIPPING
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choice of 10˚, 12.5˚, or 15˚ head
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(1) steel black oxide tip insert included
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Add extra steel insert $65
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Add (2) extra steel inserts $55 each
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Add US-Made lever carrying tote $29.50
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Add Tip Wrench $12.95
11" CASSOTTO LEVER w/ any 2 Prestige Tips
TOTAL $499 lever + $310 tips = $809
$809 - $20 OFF = $789
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choice of 10˚, 12.5˚, or 15˚ head
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(1) steel black oxide tip insert included
Add extra steel insert $65 free shipping
Add US-Made lever carrying tote $29.50 free shipping
Add Tip Wrench $12.95 free shipping
order all 3 tips w/ a 12" lever & SAVE $45 + free domestic shipping
or get free shipping when you spend $800
Custom Classic, Linear, or Hybrid Lever w/ Personalized Logo (if desired)
12" CASSOTTO LEVER w/ all 3 Prestige Tips
TOTAL $529 lever + $465 tips = $994
$994 - $45 OFF = $949 & FREE SHIPPING
-
choice of 10˚, 12.5˚, or 15˚ head
-
(1) steel black oxide tip insert included
-
Add extra steel insert $65
-
Add (2) extra steel inserts $55 each
-
Add US-Made lever carrying tote $29.50
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Add Tip Wrench $12.95
order all 3 tips w/ a 14" lever & SAVE $45 + free domestic shipping
or get free shipping when you spend $800
Custom Classic, Linear, or Hybrid Lever w/ Personalized Logo (if desired)
14" CASSOTTO LEVER w/ all 3 Prestige Tips
TOTAL $559 lever + $465 tips = $1,024
$1,024 - $45 OFF = $979 & FREE SHIPPING
-
choice of 10˚, 12.5˚, or 15˚ head
-
(1) steel black oxide tip insert included
-
Add extra steel insert $65
-
Add (2) extra steel inserts $55 each
-
Add US-Made lever carrying tote $29.50
-
Add Tip Wrench $12.95
"Beautifully STUNNING, absolutely RIGID, and LIGHTWEIGHT custom levers that literally make every tuning easier and more enjoyable."
