Which way to twist bass strings

[Richard Moody]

It used to be hard sometimes to tell which way to twist a
bass string because the winding was too small or it was
tapered.  And what about double wounds? Now it turns out all
strings made in the US are wound in the same direction.
Strings from Japan are wound in the opposite direction.
But in case there may be exceptions or you simply forget,
you can always be sure of the right direction by looking at
the hitchpin loop.  Twist it in the direction that will
tighten the loop.  It is instantly visible which way to turn
by looking how the loop twisted.  You do NOT want to twist
so the loop will unwind.

Now the question is what is a "twist" ?   I say each time
the loop is turned over is a "twist"   Some may say this is
a "half-twist" and I agree.   Since the loop does not always
lie parallel to the plate the twist might end up being "2/3"
or 3/4 but each twist after that would be "one half twist".
I have wondered why bass string makers do not recommend how
much their strings should be twisted.   I like no more than
two half twists.   After that it takes special tools and
much extra effort and for that I would like approval from
the bass string maker.   ---ric


From: D.L. Bullock <dlbullock@att.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 10:34 PM
Subject: Re: Bass strings

bad sounds were caused by the strings
| being twisted the wrong direction.  The winding should be
twisted to be
| tightening it.  The twist goes in the direction the end of
the winding is
| pointing.  They must all be twisted the same direction and
the same amount.
|
| Our shop uses three twists.  It gives the best sound and I
am leery of 4 or
| more for fear of breakage of the string or the loop.  I
would be interested
| in whether anyone uses more than that and what is the
result.
|
| D.L. Bullock
| www.thepianoworld.com
| St. Louis
|