String Height Gauge

[Fenton Murray]

My string height gauge has been the same one I bought 30 something years ago, sorry no picture, this is a telescoping rod on a base with a set screw. For the last several years I have laid the fixture down on a piece of paper after setting it and pencil marked the extremities thus showing a picture of string height. This then can easily be measured as well as serve as a sort of picture of the piano when other measurements are marked out such as center pin height which then shows hammer bore. Seeing the different end of sections gives a picture of plate undulations, I still use the numbers but I'm much better with a picture. It's very easy to take a old hammer and lay it on the paper to see bore distance accuracy, or your new hammers can be very easily marked for bore with no subtraction. But, I do like Jack Houweling's set up, thanks Jack.
Fenton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Skolnik 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 11:11 PM
  Subject: Re: String Height Gauge


  Jack -
  I respect and empathize with the impulse to use your digital caliper for as many things as possible.  For example, I've been using mine in a system for key leveling which works quite well.  There are a few reasons why I might not be so comfortable with the application you present, but, even apart from that, I'm having trouble understanding the set up.  Perhaps you could supply some additional pictures (which were quite nice) showing the bass of the gauge from different angles.  I'm not understanding how you are establishing a zero setting from the keybed.  Also, I'm a bit uncomfortable bringing the end of the gauge in contact with the bass string windings...maybe a non-issue.  You have to be careful to establish positive contact with the wire, given the narrow width of the  and then, if you're not taking the gauge out of the piano, you have to be bent down to read it, Yes?

  An alternate application for the same purpose as the one you've proposed occurred to me.  
  Fabricate or obtain a block of a precise dimension (metric or english) - 5 or 6 inches, say.  Take the caliper and measure the diameter of the string whose height you wish to measure. Zero the gauge.  Place the block under the subject string, and, with the butt end of the caliper resting on top of the string, extend the depth rod downward to contact the surface of the block.  Add the read out to the block dimension and the result is your string height.  I'll try it out tomorrow to see if it really works.  Of course,  Pianotek's digital tape (David I.) seems awfully convenient, if a bit heavy to carry around, if memory serves.

  and cheers to you
  David Skolnik
  Hastings on Hudson, NY

  At 10:05 PM 7/23/2008, you wrote:

    Sorry I forgot to put a Subjet /Title
     
     
    Hello All,
     
    I wanted to measure string height so I came up with a new gauge. It is very precise and also gives a reading
    of the string level. The three measurements shown are of the same note. I simply mounted my 4 inch caliper onto a base and I used a machine screw to hold it secure. With a simple turn of the screw it can be taken apart.
     
    I can take an average or measure individual strings. The digital readout is easy to record the distance and move on to the next 
    with out taking the gauge out of the piano.
     
     
    Cheers,
    Jack Houweling
     
     

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