Rubbing Strings (was Re: string seating - was bridge caps)

[Avery Todd]

Ron,

Could you explain a little more about the rubbing down procedure rather than
'pounding the daylights' for a big hitting pianist? Do you do this first, 
before
tuning? After tuning, then rechecking? Both?

I have quite a few of these pianists that I have to tune for here and am
interested in your comments about this. I'm assuming you mean this as a
method of improving the tuning stability rather than very hard test blows?

Does anyone else who does a lot of concert tuning do this? Observations?

Thanks.
Avery

>I too have seen many bridges damaged by over enthusiastic string seating. 
>If the pins are inclined at 20 degrees and the string offset is 10 - 12 
>degrees, the strings will tend to move down to the base of the pin when 
>the strings are lightly rubbed down at the speaking length segment (if 
>they are indeed up at all). The rubbing down procedure is also an 
>excellent substitute for 'pounding the daylights' out of a piano with a 
>hammer on a stick, to make it stay in tune for big hitting pianist. A 
>light rub down will achieve the same result, without the wear and tear on 
>the action.
>
>Regards,
>
>Ron O
>--
>
>_________________________
>
>Website:  http://www.overspianos.com.au
>Email:      mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au
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