High treble string breakage

[David Porritt]

On Tue, 5 Sep 1995, Israel Stein wrote:

>
> Greetings,
>
> If some of you are so inclined, I wish to solicit opinions as to how I
> should proceed with the following piano.
>
> It is a Steinway M, 10 years old, and is in constant use by a very busy
> up-and-coming concert pianist and teacher (she had to buy another piano so
> that her family could play too). Over the past half-year or so strings in
> the top 2 octaves have been breaking on a regular basis. My inclination is
> to attribute this to metal fatigue - ten years of heavy use, her
> repertoire (which consists of lots of contemporary works involving a lot
> of loud playing in the top range of the piano) and her rather firm technique
> suggest this to me.
>
> The complicating factor is that according to the dealer, the piano had a
> string breakage problem when it was brand new. The capo bar was filed
> under warranty because of this excessive string breakage. I've been
> servicing this instrument since 1990 and there was no unusual string
> breakage until recently. She has been pushing me to do something, and I
> was inclined to just restring the top 2 octaves, until I found out about
> the abovementioned warranty work. I hate to mess around with the capo if
> someone already has been there - so far (knock on delignite) we've had no
> problems with pings, zings and things and I would hate to introduce them.
> On the other hand, if capo treatment is indicated, I would hate to miss
> this opportunity to do it.
>
> Any good advice on what else I should check and how I should proceed here?
>
> Thank you in advance
>
>
> Israel Stein

Here at SMU we have a number of pianists much as you describe.  The wear
on these Steinways is tremendous.  I have found that restring the top two
sections is very beneficial every few years.  String breakage is a real
problem here.  Many times I can never get new strings to settle down and
stabilize before several more strings are broken.  Most of these Steinways
are 12 years old.  On the pianos I have replaced the strings on the capo
sections they have gone as much as 3 years without further breakage.  It
HAS to be string fatigue.

While I have the strings off I always dress the capo bar and even clean
the sounding board as far as I can.  It is a very rewarding job.  My best
guess is that this breakage you are fighting now is due to string fatigue,
and has nothing to do with whatever problems the piano had when new.

Dave Porritt
SMU - Dallas