[CAUT] harpsichord questions

[Laurence Libin]

1. Depends on the pin diameters and whether or not the pins are drilled for string insertion. Generally you'll need more turns than on a piano pin.
2. Securing a low-tension coil on a slender, undrilled tuning pin takes practice. Keeping the coil at the right height above the pinblock isn't always easy but it's important. Usually you can't tap tapered, unthreaded pins in very far and definitely not very hard. Brass and iron wire hold a hitchpin loop differently from steel, and the type of loop you make will depend not only on the instrument's style but also on its tension. Often, harpsichord tuning hammers have a hook at the top that facilitates making loops. Avoid crimping the twist below the loops; they should hold fine without being squeezed. Never use piano wire on a replica historical instrument! And make sure to maintain the correct pitch for the scaling; a'=415 is normal but historical pitch standards vary considerably and some lie down around 392. Some replicas have transposing keyboards, so make sure you have them in the right position for the pitch. Factory-made harpsichords (Pleyel, Neupert, Dolmetsch, etc.) usually stand at 440.     
3. The builder is the best source, or a specialized string supplier such as Malcolm Rose. In Ann Arbor you could ask Ed Parmentier at U. Mich. for advice.
Laurence


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: D Marie Jones 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 4:00 AM
  Subject: [CAUT] harpsichord questions


  Hi everyone, 


  I've never installed new strings on a harpsichord & have a few questions. . .if anyone could either explain the below or direct me to a resource(s), that would be most appreciated:


  1.  What is the standard amount of string you leave beyond the pin to end up with the perfect amount of wraps?


  2.  Is the process for stringing a harpsichord the same as a piano?  Or are there hidden tricks that would be helpful to know in advance?


  3.  What is the best source for harpsichord string?


  thank you-----D 
    

  D Marie Jones, RPT
  Kalamazoo College 
  269-383-0620 
  269-806-4067 (cell)




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