Lots of broken strings

[Brian Holden]

Phil

I bet that the main reason for the breakages is due to the heavy handed
playing often associated with Gospel churches (discussed at some length by
the Forum a couple of months back).  The v-bar is where they break.  New
strings should be able to tolerate 30 cents sharp.  Perhaps the balance of
pressure may have caused this sharpness.  Have you considered the possible
effect of high humidity on the sound board stretching the strings? -
Assuming that the church is presently unheated with the piano being affected
by your current wintery climate.

Brian Holden

-----Original Message-----
From: pryan2 <pryan2@the-beach.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Sunday, 13 February 2000 16:25
Subject: Lots of broken strings


>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
>-----------------------------------------------------
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>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Martin Dubow" <tuner@mediaone.net>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Friday, February 11, 2000 7:09 PM
>Subject: Re: hale hammer
>
>
>> Terry -
>>
>> The address for Pacific Piano Supply is:
>>
>> 16119 Cohasset Street
>> Van Nuys, Ca. 91406
>> 818 779-1586
>>
>> Martin
>>
>>