String Alignment

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message -----
From: Elliot Dey Wilcox <elliot31@juno.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2002 7:33 AM
Subject: String Alignment


> Pianotech Forum members,
> 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
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    Considering that many piano manufacturers (most?) are able to drill
their plates accurately enough that the unisons are evenly spaced and the
strings go straight from the bridge pins to tuning pins, being deflected
downward only, not laterally, by the pressure bar, it really irks me when a
piano has strings that "weave", or bear against other tuning pins on the way
to their own pin.   ANY amount is too much, in my opinion, since it makes it
hell to tune that string.  I don't know how to equalize the tension in those
cases -- it's hard enough just to get some semblance of beatlessness in the
unison.  Have had strings break in these cases only rarely.
    Sometimes the three pins of the unison have to be set at different
heights in order to get strings to not rest on the coils.
    Or are you talking about the sharpness of angle that bass strings take
from their upper bearing pins to the tuning pins.  Usually the only problem
here is in spinets, and some consoles, where they take an angle approaching
90 degrees on the lowest few pins.  If they sit for years without tuning,
they're more likely to break.  Also, in short pianos, the strings take a
sharp angle coming off the tuning pin on their way to the upper bearing bar,
often causing the coils to overlap, which puts more strain on the string at
that point.  If the distance from upper bearing to tuning pin were greater,
as in the big uprights, they wouldn't have this problem.
    I haven't done anything scientific like measure angles or tension or
other parameters.  -- David Nereson, RPT, Denver