Why Strings Break

[JPIESIK]

Thanks, Bob. It's what I suspected, but it's good to hear it from others. Next 
time I hear the Big Bang I won't feel so bad. John Piesik, RPT




In a message dated 3/30/99 1:10:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, JPIESIK@arinc.com 
writes:
     
<>John:
You can never completely eliminate broken strings.  Like fine wine, strings 
break when it is their time to do so.  Incorrect techniques (for instance 
turning a tuning pin next to the one you're supposed to be turning and hearing 
the awful "snap") can speed up the process.  Not every tuner lets the pitch 
down as you mentioned just before turning it up.  In fact, I would imagine very 
few do.  Strings age,oxidize,rust,develop weak spots, etc.,etc.,etc.
Some last 75 years and some break at their first tuning.  Some pianos I have 
serviced have all their original strings and I'm talking about 50-70 year- old 
pianos.  Some newbies have already experienced one or two breaks.  And these 
are not limited to the "cheaper" brands.  I have seen strings break on very 
new,very fine pianos also.
Some strings can be hastened to break through hard pounding and rapid 
repetition-like we see on many church pianos.  And on and on.  Experience will 
reveal all these wondrous mysteries to you in time.
     
Bob Bergantino, RPT
Willoughby Hills, Ohio