String Alignment

[Ron Nossaman]

>	I'd like to restate my previous question regarding string alignment by
>making it more general. Deviation in alignment of tuning pins exists in
>some pianos. Recently, I have seen new grands with strings binding on
>adjacent tuning pins as they travel down to the agraffes. Does anyone
>have an opinion the challenge of equalizing string pressure while tuning
>such strings, strings breakage, etc.? And how much deviation in string
>alignment is too much regarding number of strings involved and sharpness
>of the binding angle?
>					Thanks again. Elliot Wilcox, RPT, St. Paul, MN

Hi Elliot,
It's like everything else on the planet that you can name. It's a matter of
degree, but there are enough variables that you probably can't put a number
to it. In some Kimball and Baldwin verticals, it renders them untunable by
my criteria. In other instances, it doesn't seem to be a problem. It's a
matter of how much friction the interference adds. A string touching one
other tuning pin or coil between pin and counterbearing, and at a very
small deflection angle as a result, shouldn't be a big deal. If the string
renders past the interference well enough that there isn't a lag between
pin movement and string response, it doesn't really matter. A string
zig-zagging back and forth around pins at nearly any angle will almost
surely be a tuning problem. The more angle, the more bearing points, the
greater the friction and the worse the tuning problem. It will be hard to
determine where the segment tension equilibrium point is while tuning,
there will be a noticeable lag between pin movement and what you hear from
the speaking length, and it will tend to move on you minutes after you
think you have it where you want it and move on. Also, tuning any of the
other strings who's pins or coils are deflecting it's path, will mess up
the tuning of the deflected string. There aren't any breakage concerns I'm
aware of except resisting the impulse to beat the piano to pieces when you
get sick of fighting these unnecessary battles.

Ron N