Restringing

[Brian Trout]

Hi Martin,

A couple of things come randomly to mind.  I'll just start spouting them
off.

If you haven't already destrung the little beasty, take some careful notes
of what's there.  (Wire sizes, how many unisons of each size, which strings
are tied, whether there's wound strings above the tenor break, how many,
etc.  All of those little things that are easy to think we'll remember and
we don't.)

I'm not sure quite what all you're doing, but when you have the strings off,
you'll have access to areas you can't get to as easily when the strings are
on, so if you're planning to do any cleaning or the like, that's the time.
You can also get to the bridges very easily if they need anything.  I don't
know if you're intending to pull the plate to refinish or not... the list
can get pretty elaborate...

Take note of where the bellyman felts are so that you can duplicate them, if
that's what you intend.  If you can, it's not a bad idea to save the old
felt and / or card stock to use for patterns.

While you have all of those strings off, it might not be a bad idea to check
the surfaces of the capo bar(s).  On some pianos they can develop some
pretty significant grooves that the strings ride in.  It probably wouldn't
take much to dress them up a little. You're never going to have the
opportunity to do it so easily as when it's already destrung.  (I won't
belabor this one.  Perhaps others will have more advice.) If there are some
big grooves in the capo bar, it won't give you as nice of a termination
point, and it may drag more while trying to tune.  It'll also frustrate you
when trying to space the strings as well as trying to tune them.

Before you pound in your first tuning pin, grab a roll of masking tape.
(Size unimportant.)  Find the unison where the next wire size begins and
place the tape over all three holes in the plate, covering them up.  That
way, when you're going gangbusters stringing, forgetting all about how many
unisons you've done, you'll come to the tape and stop.  Then you'll change
wire sizes to the next size, relocate the tape to the next wire size change
point, and proceed with the stringing.  It may sound a bit silly, but it'll
save you from that panicked moment when you realize you've strung 8 extra
unisons with #14 wire... and now what do you do...

Cover the stretcher with something.  Heavy cardboard stock works.  I've seen
people use heavy pipe insulation around the rim if you want to cover the
sides of the case at the ends of the pinblock area.  If you're like me, at
least once during your episode with the 2 pound wonder in your hand, you'll
miss that little punch, or it will glaze off the side, sending the thing
into a crash course with whatever is in it's trajectory.  Just pray that it
isn't your thumb, or it won't likely be praying you'll be doing... at least
not right away.  (You can pray for forgiveness later. <grin>)  Prevention...
and all that stuff...

Also, if the soundboard is anything you'd like to preserve from the
inevitable scratches that a couple of hundred string ends etc. can make, you
might want to lay something on the soundboard.  I've used lots of different
things.  It doesn't take much.

Take note of any aliquots, or rear duplex type devices so that you can be
sure to put them back in their proper places, if that is your intent.
(Trust me, you won't remember every detail...)

Some of the front duplex termination bars on some pianos are also
detachable.  If you're taking them off to clean or polish or replate them,
you'll want to mark them in such a way that you'll know which one goes
where.

As you string, don't forget to move the pinblock support jack along with
your progress.  It's kind of out of sight down there, and easy to forget
about.

An easy thing to do that'll serve two purposes, is to lay a movers blanket
on top of the piano, exposing your work area, but covering the area you're
not working on.  If you bring the pad back far enough to cover the pinblock
area you're not working in, not only will it provide some protection, it'll
give you a place to lay a few tools, if that's where you like to have them.
When you get to the bass strings, it's also a handy place to lay them out
flat where they're handy.

Not everyone will agree with this one, but I find it easier to straighten
out the coils and do a basic level of the pins as I go.  Some people prefer
to just get them all in there, and then worry about being fussy.  To me it's
easier to do it as I go, because it seems like such a big job when the whole
kahoona is staring you in the face.  Besides, it's easier to straighten a
coil that has an empty couple of holes beside it.

If you're putting string braid in the tails of the tenor section (on the
long bridge), it will be easier to put it in before you put on the bass
strings.  It will also be easier to do some of the tapping of the string
loops at the hitch pins and seating at the bridge pins before the bass
strings go on.  (At that point, I do have some tension on the strings, so
they're not going to go far.  I can always come back and check things
later.)

When you're stringing the bass section, you might want to keep the cut off
pieces of wire.  They make a good stock of wire to make new ends for broken
bass strings.  And you'll have a nice assortment of sizes.

I don't know if it's considered part of restringing or not, but while you're
in there, it's an easy job to rebush the damper guide rails.

Wow, talk about long winded.  Am I ever!

That's the random thought pattern that came to mind.  I hope you'll find at
least one idea that'll work for you.  I'm sure there are a whole bunch of
people with more experience than me that could add to the list.

Good luck with your restringing job.  I hope it goes well for you.

Best wishes,

Brian Trout
Quarryville, PA
btrout@desupernet.net


----- Original Message -----
From: Martin Dubow <tuner@mediaone.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 11:13 AM
Subject: Restringing


> Hello All,
>
> Next week I will be doing my first restringing. It's on a baby grand.
> If any of you would care to comment on your first restringings and
> what I should watch out for, I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Martin
>
>