String Replacement Results

[Michael Magness]

On Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 4:12 PM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>
wrote:

> Hi List,
>
> I just finished my string replacement exercise and I would like to share
> with you my step by step procedure.  Any comments, suggestions, do's and
> don't do agains will be greatly appreciated.
>
> The piano is a Yamaha P-2, and I chose F-57 for replacement.  The reason
> being it was the first string above the overstrung area, and I wasn't about
> to delve in that area yet.
>
> I used my wire cutters and nipped the string(s) as close to the coil as
> possible.  I then used my small screwdriver to pry the coil off the pin,
> being careful not to scratch the finish of the plate.  I mic'd the string I
> took off, and it was size 15 wire.  I mic'd the size 15 to make sure it was
> a match, and it was dead on.
>
> I got my tape measure and measured from the hitch pin to four fingers past
> the top pin (it was about 20'').  Then I took my size 15 reel of wire and
> measured out 20'', made my bend and doubled the string.  Then I cut.
>
> I then took my tuning hammer, and backed the two pins out of the hole
> approximately four turns each, making sure not to go too fast.  Then I made
> sure the hole of each pin was lined up and down.
>
> I fed the string from the top.  I had to manuever it several times before
> I could get a hold of it from the bottom with my stringing hook.  I ran it
> to the hitch pin and seated it around the pin, and then with my vise grips,
> clamped the pin.  Then I popped the string on the bridge pins.
>
> Back at the top, I started with the middle pin and fed the wire through the
> hole  I let the wire run out the other side almost 1/4''.  As I began
> turning it, it did pop out once, so I had to straighten the wire with my
> needle nose, and do it again.  After the second coil, I used my pliers and
> squeezed the coils.  I was very careful not to let any wires over lap, and
> to make sure my first coil was snug against the string that was out the
> other side.  After the third coil, I did the same procedure with the top
> pin.
>
> I had two errors thus far.  First, when I went down below to make sure the
> string was still around the hitch pin and bridge pin, I discovered the
> string was caught up on the bridge pin on the adjacent note!  So I had to
> back the pin out and fix it.
>
> The second error was as I was cranking up the top pin, I looked and found
> the string was caught in some dampers on the left and was actually pulling
> them over!  (Some of you may be cringing as I say that...I sure did!)  So, I
> backed out that pin, and fixed that situation.
>
> After that, I was pretty much home free.  I was able to make nice, neat
> coils.  The top pin ended up with 3 1/2 coils, while the middle pin had 3.
> In fact, the top pin is just a little bit higher than the rest of the pins
> now.  It is not bad, but it is sticking out just a little farther.
>
> I did this with the action in the piano.  Figured I was up to more of a
> challenge, and it actually wasn't that bad!  The only thing I did not do was
> really seat the string around the hitch pin.  I don't have a small brass rod
> with a rounded end, and I didn't want to do it with my screwdriver.
>
> Since the action was still in place, I wasn't able to do a good job of
> stretching the string with my stretcher either.
>
> I tuned the strings about one note sharp and that is where I left it as I
> write this.
>
> I think I remembered everything.  Like I said, if any of you have any
> comments or suggestions, I will take them all.
>
>
> Thank you!
> Matthew
>
>
>

Hi Matthew,

Most of what you did sounds fine, removal of the action, whenever possible,
as others said is a good idea. I also have to agree with those who suggested
pre-making the coils thus reducing the amount of backing out of the tuning
pins.
Paul, both Davids and I agree on the dummy pin idea, I have found it to be a
time saver and it saves the piano/pinblock as well.

One other thing you might have tried was the standard repair in an instance
such as you had/created. When the string is broken at the pin, back off a
couple of turns from the corresponding pin/string and pull it around the
hitchpin. I have used this repair many times over the years, especially if I
was miles from home and not due back for a while. This type of string
repair, because the string is already stretched, tends to hold tune better.
It will slip some as the bends from the hitch and bridge work out of it but
not nearly as badly as a new string.

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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