Broken Strings reply

[pianoman]

Hi Les and All,
I have a wheel type stretcher that I have used in the past, mainly after
restringing.  The problem with using them on individual new strings is that
putting that much pressure on the string effects the others around it also.
 I would presume because of the pushing down of the bridge also.  After
restringing you are just trying to stretch everything and not concerned
with adjacent strings.
	What I try to do after replacing a new string is to pull the two sides of
the string in a normal position with pin nose pliers after coming around
the hitch pins. Another thing I do is to make the bend around the hitch pin
twice so there are 2 loops around the hitch pin which keeps the string from
moving around the hitch pin.  It also gives a nice appearance.  I like to
think it gives my stringing a "European Look", after all , I am so
cosmopolitan!    :>). 
	No matter what you do, 2 new out of 3 strings is a bummer for a number of
months.  I personally mute off the new strings and the client pretty well
lives with it till next tuning.
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G. from St. Louis
pianoman@inlink.com
"I'm on my way towards the mighty light of knowledge".

----------
> From: Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re:  Broken Strings
> Date: Saturday, February 21, 1998 11:39 AM
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, 20 Feb 1998 PDtek@aol.com wrote:
> 
> > 
> > While we are on the subject, I would be curious to know what others do
with a
> > broken plain wire, reuse the wire or replace it? Do you charge for
return
> > trips to retune the string? Mute it till next tuning? How about bass
strings?
> > Do you use universal bass strings and on what quality of piano?
> 
> On the subject of plain wire replacements, I have a question I don't
think
> I've seen addressed before. The problem, of course. is that the new wire
> is rapidly going to stretch out and go flat, which is really going to be
a
> bummer if the note in question happens to be in the middle of the
keyboard
> where it's played all the time. Tuning it sharp and muting it until the
> next tuning is certainly a possibility, but the note is really going to
> sound weak if only one string of a three sring unison is left sounding.
> My question is: How effective are those wheel-type string-stretchers and
> is there anyone out there using them with any regularity in situations
> like this? Thanks.
> 
> Les Smith