In a message dated 98-06-18 23:18:16 EDT, you write: << Just finished reading Ray Hopland's and Terry Beckingham's articles on Bass Strings on page 10 and 12 of the April Journal. The thrust of both of these articles is that there is no need to put any twist at the hitch pin when installing new bass strings. In fact twisting a new string proved detrimental in the case of Terry's article. As the string maker that I get my bass strings from always includes a little note indicating to give the strings a twist when installing, I am interested in the list's opinion on this matter. Regards, John Woodrow >> About 15 years ago I rebuilt a S&S S. After installing the bass strings, I found them to be very tubby. I twisted them, but no improvement. So I thought I must have twisted them the wrong way. SO I twisted them 3 turns the other way. Still no improvement. Finally, I didn't put any twist in them, and guess what, a beautiful sound. Since then, I never give my bass strings an extra twist. I coil the pin level to the ground, and turn it a quarter turn, and pound the pin. I have never had a problem with my bass strings. And we are talking close to 150 pianos since then. Willem Blees RPT St. Louis
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