coils etc.

[Gregory Torres]

Glenn,

Trace the wire path and lower the tension on the other end as well (-200 or so )
and this will help to keep the wire from pulling around the hitch pin.

Lower tension just enough on the offending coil so that you can either "tap" it
up with the impact coil tightener or pull it up with the coil lifter. Sometimes
I find that the stringing hook or even a screwdriver blade is the way to go. If
necessary I will drive the pin down some (with support, of course) After pulling
tension up an equal amount on both coils tap them up & down with the impact
tightener. Do the other coil as well. Then pull tension slightly above pitch (+2
cents) and tune, tap, tune, tap, etc., adjusting until the pitch stabilizes. If
it is a bass string then tap the hitch pin loop down to the plate as well.  Tap
the coils while sustaining the notes and hear the tension stabilize. Then
proceed with tuning.

I have found that this works very well in increasing tuning stability a great
deal.  BTW, this assumes you have an impact tool...    ;-)

Regards,
Greg Torres



Glenn wrote:

> >Hi, Howard



> >If you think about this, it is what would happen if the angle of descent
> >down the spiral is completely uniform. In 1/2 turn, the wire has descended
> >a distance roughly equal to half its diameter. In the full turn, it has
> >descended its complete diameter, and therefore fits snugly against the
> >previous loop. When the whole coil is tight, this same angle is uniform for
> >the whole coil, and the wire is taking the shortest path around the pin
> >that it can, for any given number of turns. This is inherently more stable
> >than an open coil, or than a coil riding up on one side and down on
> another.
> >
> >It's a tiny matter, but it isn't that hard to do; and it looks careful and
> >uniform, as well.
> >
> >JMHO.
> >
> >Susan
> >Susan Kline
>
> Okay so to put this to practical use, say I have a grand and some of the
> coils appear open.  This discussion started with "tapping" them down.  If
> they are already below the other end of the becket hole then tapping them
> would make them lower.  So should I lift them, then tap them, or is lifting
> enough?  I feel a bit uncomfortable lifting them at pitch so I usually lower
> them enough to make it easier.  When I do this the tuning stability seems
> thrown off because I end up with some slippage around the hitch pin (recent
> restringing) and I think in general strings lowered then raised that much in
> one sitting need so settle again.
>
> What would be the procedure for me here?
>
> Glenn.