harpsichord: broken string

[Greg Granoff RPT]

Mark Cramer wrote:

> Thanks Ed, Ed and Greg for helpful information.
>
> Greg, do please send info on the other end of the string.
> I'm presuming then that you do the tuning pin first, then the hitch.  Also
> that you do not remove the tuning pin to replace a broken string?
>
> Am learning much more about harpsichords than I ever wished to.  :>)
>
> thanks,
> Mark
>

Mark,
Yes, you DO remove the tuning pin to replace a broken string (it could be done
the other way, but who needs that much difficulty in their life?)
Also, you need to make the hitch portion first -- otherwise there is no way to
hold the string taught as you wind it up on the tuning pin (which is in your
hands, of course, and not in the wrestplank!)
Making the hitch should be described in the book Ed is recommending-- if not, I
can send a fax of a diagram and instructions I have from a manual for a kit I
built a few years ago.  This is where a picture really is worth a thousand
words.....

While you try to find a way to deal with the overload of info you're getting
about harpsichords, it helps to remember that they are not some sort of inferior
piano -- but are actually a big lute with a keyboard attached.
In otherwords, when you are working on them, you're actually wearing a luthier's
hat - not a piano technician's.
Time for an update of your job description.....:-)

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-caut@ptg.org [mailto:owner-caut@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Greg
> Granoff RPT
> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 5:00 PM
> To: caut@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: harpsichord: broken string
>
> Mark Cramer wrote:
>
> > Can someone provide me with an "idiot's guide" to installing string on a
> > harpsishord?  Yes, the tuning pins w/o holes.
> >
> > much thanks,
> > Mark Cramer,
> > Brandon University
>
> Mark,
> The idea is to make a small downward flag of wire with the end of the string
> and wrap the windings around that, thus effectively trapping the string to
> prevent slipping.  Sounds lame, but it works very well.
> After hooking the string on the hitch pin, hold it gently taught standing at
> the front of the instrument and cut off enough extra past the pin hole to
> give you several windings around the pin--perhaps seven or eight for the
> treble, and fewer in the bass.  It is important to prevent overlap of the
> bottom winding by the string as it rises up to meet the level of the nut, as
> the stress this causes is often a source of breakage;  hence, fewer windings
> where the tuning pin and nut are closer together.
> >From there, one holds (depending on whether left or right handed) the string
> in one hand and tuning pin in the other, and bringing the string along side
> the pin with the string end pointing toward the threads, (or where they
> would be if there aren't any) leaving about a 1/4 inch of string as a
> downward pointing flag, and firmly holding the flag in place on the side of
> the pin, turn the pin (making a 90 degree angle in the string about where a
> string hole would normally be) and spin the pin catching the flag under the
> first winding, then keeping the string taught, keep spinning the pin
> catching the flag under successive windings until you are at the tuning pin
> hole.  Then, continuing to hold the string taught, turn the pin back to
> vertical position and shove the end in the hole.  Tap it down to same height
> as its neighbors, and the job is done except for positioning over the nut
> and bridge by the appropriate jack(s).  With a little practice, this can be
> done very fast while keeping those windings nice and tight against each
> other and the flag. Obviously, continuous tension on the string and
> efficient movements are the order of the day.
> I know it sounds complicated, but it is MUCH easier shown than described.  I
> tend to hold the pin with the tuning lever facets to my left, and wind the
> top of the pin over toward me counter clockwise, but that's just personal
> preference.
> Do you need info on making the 'pigtail' for the hitchpin end?
>
> Good luck!
>
> Greg Granoff