Dead Bass Strings

[EHILBERT@midd.middlebury.edu]

I too have heard that bass string should be put on soon after being made.
On the other hand, I had a set made one time for a Marshall and Wendall
grand.  Then the project got set aside and I finally got back to it
probably ten years later.  I decided to try the strings and they sounded just
fine.  I certainly have had other sets for much longer than 30 days which
also sounded fine when finally installed.
      Perhaps Dave Sanderson will get on and shed some light on this
subject.  Or has anyone heard a good answer from Mapes?  Ted Sambell would
probably also know the answer.
      My suspiciojn would be that there would be a tendency for the core wire
slip back inside of the sinding (winding) if left too long without tension.
Remember, the string is made on the string widing machine under considerable
tension.  I forget the exact amount but sort of recall a figure in the range of 70% of the
tension when pulled to pitch on the piano.  Obiously, if the core
wire then slipped back inside of the winding, when the string would then be pul
led up to tension, it w ould tend to open the windings and that would not be
desireable.   I too shall wait for a more definitive answer.
Ed Hilbert
Vermpont Chapter