In a message dated 2/13/00 3:16:19 AM !!!First Boot!!!, pryan2@the-beach.net writes: << I was sent to tune a nice U1 Yamaha piano in a Gospel-type church which had six broken bass strings. All had broken at the v-bar and showed no rust. The pianist was very upset about it (actually the price of replacement), as broken strings have become a regular occurrence. I chided her that she must be playing with a heavy left hand, but when I tuned the piano, I found the wound section to be 20 to 31 cents sharp. My question is, could someone have tuned this piano that sharp, or did the missing strings shift the balance of pressure on the bridge or something to that extent (a la a violin)? Should I look elsewhere? The middle and treble sections of the piano were tuned to accurate pitch. Secondly, is 20 to 31 cents sharp enough to break a good wound string? I always thought they were made to withstand a lot more stretching than that. Phil Ryan Miami Beach, FL >> The loss of the strings could have sent the bass section sharp by that much. And the increase in tension, along with the heavy hand, contributed to more broken strings. If this was the Midwest, the treble would be flat, and the bass right on. Since the treble is right on, and the bass was sharp, it would indicate the whole piano might have been tuned 10 - 15 cents sharp at one point, and then dropped to its current level, except for the bass. Disconnect the right pedal, decrease hammer blow, adjust lost motion half the amount. If needed, add a thick cardboard punching under each key to reduce key dip. All four of those things will reduce string breakage, but only if the player reduces the pounding. Willem Blees
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC