Breaking a String

[Michael Magness]

On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 12:22 PM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>
wrote:

> I will be practicing string replacement on my Yamaha U-1.  But first, I
> need a string to replace.
>
> What is the proper procedure for breaking a string?  I think this was
> posted on the list not too long ago, but I can't find it.
>
> Thanks!
> Matthew
>

Hi Matthew,

The class I attended for learning piano tuning/technology was eons ago and
an extension course of the University of the University of Minnesota.

Our first class began with each of us coming to the front of the room and
tuning a string beyond it's breaking point on an old upright that was there
for that purpose. The point was to show us;

1. That strings could be pulled beyond the acceptable pitch by quite a bit
prior to breaking thereby removing the "flinch factor" from     pulling a
piano to pitch.

2. We then backed off some of the wire on the corresponding string, pulled
it around made a new becket and effected the repair, learning hands on, how
to do the repair. In the unlikely event that pulling the string around the
hitchpin didn't work, ie it broke again, we replaced it.

3. Demonstrating that we, as technicians, don't break strings but rather
strings break while we are tuning them, therefore we always should charge
for repairing them.

If you wish to knot a string there are some excellent examples in the
archives.

When you are ready to replace a bass string, I would suggest Mapes, they,
many times, already have the scaling of most of the Asian makers, making
measuring superfluous. Should you need to measure they can instruct you as
to what, exactly they need. Usually core diameter, winding diameter, loop to
beginning of winding and length of winding.

I have called them using my cell phone while I'm still in the customer's
home and ordered the string, so that I knew if I needed to measure it for
them and so I could get a current price from them(copper fluctuates in
price) to give the customer.

Last December, a week before Christmas, I called in a string order on a
Monday, midday, and had the string that Friday, no special
shipping just parcel post, the way they always send them.

IMHO all Mapes does is make strings, they aren't anymore expensive than the
jobbers and I talk to the guy who's going to make the string. They've been
at it for 4 generations making strings for all stringed instruments.
*The Mapes Piano String Company *
#1 Wire Mill Road
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Phone: 423.543.3195
Fax: 423.543.7738
info at mapeswire.com


Mike
-- 
I feel sorry for the person who can't get genuinely excited about his work.
Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything
worthwhile.
Walter Chrysler



Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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