String challenge

[Thomas Cole]

Lubing the bearing points, especially where there is rusty strings 
bearing on felt, can be a help. But still there may be too much friction 
to make for stable tuning by the usual methods.

I try loosening things up a little by moving the pin sharp and flat a 
couple of times, in a slightly exaggerated fashion. It also gives me a 
better feel for when the pin is settling in.

As a parting shot, I believe it's important to finish by pulling the 
string up to pitch rather than settling it down to pitch as in a normal 
tuning. This leaves the tuning pin segment with more tension - less 
likely to go flat.

There's a bit more to it than can be put into words, but I hope this 
gives you some ideas.

Tom Cole

TLJ wrote:

>I recently tuned a Shimmel 5' 8" grand for a new customer.  I encountered a
>"new to me" challenge.
>
>The strings angle downward steeply as they leave the tuning pins.  The are
>then redirected sharpely horizontally as they pass through the agraffes.
>
>As I begin to tighten a string I would frequently hear a pin sound.  It is
>similar to the sound heard when breaking a rusty bass string loose.  The
>challenge for me is that I would have to pull the tuning hammer quite a bit
>before anything changed. All of a sudden I would hear this ping sound and
>the string would suddenly go sharp. Gently loosening the pin "a micro
>smidge" and it would go flat.
>
>It seems to me that the string is almost "sticking" to the agraffe and then
>breaking free.
>
>This situation is making tuning stability difficult. Once I settle the pin
>with test blows all is fine until the owner plays the piano (mostly
>classical music) and then I am getting string movement on some notes.
>
>This is probably a very simple issue but I am at a total loss.  Any
>suggestions will be appreciated.
>
>Terry Jack
>Eugene OR chapt
>
>
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