Universal Bass String question

[David Ilvedson]

I don't have universal strings anymore.    You can take the measurements at the piano with Arledge's cool tape and a micrometer.    Call it in and install the new string in about a week.   Yes, there is the return service call, but for the time it takes to get a mediocre repair with a universal, the customer would be better served with a new string...tie it if possible...
Question:   do many of you insist on replacing both strings of a bi-chord for a better match?   I don't at the moment...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA 94044





Original message
From: "Steve Blasyak" 
To: "Pianotech List" 
Received: 11/1/2006 8:31:21 AM
Subject: RE: Universal Bass String question


Hi to Michelle and all,
 
Thus far I've only seen one response to your question, perhaps there is more to come. I too feel your frustration in working with these universal disasters. 
 
A few tips to add to Johns response and a few more questions. If you use plyers to hold the string best to use soft jaw plyers (jensentools.com). 
 
And to John or anybody in the mix. If you are holding the string loosely in one hand and pulling the cooper winding with the other, it has been my experience that you risk a buzz or rattle as a result. The winding becomes loose past the point were you wish to terminate. Any thoughts on how to, or what I may be doing wrong?
 
Further especially on the larger strings... getting started is the hard part. I use my wire cutters to carefully separate the winding, once I get a little gap I try to start the pull holding the string with the soft jaw plyers. Again this to me is very difficult and time consuming. The larger the winding the harder it is to get it started.
 
My current strategy is avoid these universal disasters like the plague. Especially in the low bass (single string notes). Tie a knot if possible, order a new string anything but the universal nightmare. As you can tell my ego and pride clearly has not been damaged by past experiences with the universals. The minute I start to think about using them I just run.
 
So my answer is that there is no easy quick way. John may disagree.
 
Any further help with this from the enlightened ones would be greatly appreciated.
 
Steve
 
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michelle Smith 
To: Pianotech List
Sent: 10/31/2006 6:43:02 PM 
Subject: RE: Universal Bass String question


Thanks for the info John.  I guess Im going to have to grow some more muscles and get after it.
 
Happy Halloween!
 
Michelle Smith
 
 



From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John M. Formsma
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:41 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Universal Bass String question
 
#5 is a big one, isn't it? I don't know of a way to do it fast except to unwind it quicker. :) Sometimes holding it with a pliers helps to keep the string stationary while you unwind the excess (Use the pliers above the place where it will break off.)

On the ones with the smaller copper winding, I hold the replacement string loosely in the left hand, unwind 3-4 inches of the winding, then it's pretty quick unwinding by pulling with the right hand. (The string in the left hand rotates as the winding comes off - that's why you hold it loosely.)

JF

Michelle Smith wrote: 
Hi all.  Yet another newbie question.
 
Does anyone have an easy/quick way to remove copper winding from universal bass strings?  Im practicing on an old spinet here at the house and while I did cut some of the string off (winding and core), I still had to work for quite a while to get down to where I needed to be with the winding. (I was working with a #5 string.) Thanks in advance.
 
Michelle Smith
Smith Piano Service
Bastrop, Texas
(512) 466-0238
michelle at cdaustin.com
 
 
 
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