Hi Terry, If the string breaks at the coil, I use the original wire for the splice. Pry it off the pin, uncoil enough to splice to the other side of the break, put back on pin, tighten. Tools: round nose pliers to remove coil, make loops for splice, string lifter to pull coil up, tuning hammer to tighten. Occasionally flat nose pliers to tighten becket against pin, small screwdriver blade to lift coil in tight spaces. I carry these tools in my tuning kit. The knot takes one coil away usually leaving two on pin. Takes about five minutes. Universals take about fifteen minutes assuming the van is not across the county. I carry four sets that APSCO offers and like Keith have had mostly positive experience with them. You can replace both strings in a bass unison if you have to but I haven't had to do that often. Durability of splices: I tuned a Kawai KG6C Thursday that I spliced some treble wire on ten or more years ago. While the gospel pianist has broken many bass strings since then, the treble wire continues to hold. This has also been my experience at the college. In both venues, pianos receive more than their fair share of abuse. Advice- I heartily recommend purchasing Newton's guide from PTG. I believe Joe Garrett also has one he sells through Pianotek. I really like Newton's and it too is part of my daily kit. Way to go Mr. Hunt! Best, Dale Dale Probst, RPT Member, TEAM2001 PTG Annual Convention Reno, NV --July 11-15, 2001 email: wardprobst@cst.net (940)691-3682 voice (940) 691-6843 fax TEAM2001 website: http://www.ptg.org/conv.htm
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