[pianotech] Stainless steel piano wire

[Jim Busby]

James,

That would be me. After about 15 pianos I discontinued using it for two reasons; 

1. It breaks more. Especially on high use pianos, AND if you don't make all bearing points smooth, AND apparently if you don't hold your tongue just right... Now, several pianos have broken no (zero) strings, but on 3 or 4 pianos several broke a week. I finally put regular wire back on... The scaling may be at fault, but the owner (Juan Mas Cabre) actually did the scaling on several. He seems to think that we are all not treating it properly, but I have taken great pains to make sure I did exaclty as prescribed. I do think is sounds beautiful and will eventually have it's place in the market, but not until it is drawn "stronger" than it now is. There is one size (15.5) that Juan had drawn stronger ("Strong") and one again even stronger ("Extra strong") and that is nearly up to the strength of Roslau. He was on the right track, but the costs were apparently enormous.

2. Juan has basically abandoned me. I bought about 2k worth of wire and have about half of that leftover. He gave me some complete sets to sell and then asked me to send them back. Who knows what happened. I don't know if you can buy it anywhere now. Jurgen (Pianoforte supply) has some, I believe. Maybe Juan just had a personal problem with me, but I was left holding the goods with no idea why. Maybe it was personal problems... He seems to have dropped off the end of the earth, and me being his #1 champion left here with egg on my face. But at the same time I miss Juan. He is a great guy.

If you want to try it I have some for sale... (1/2 price <G>) I still use it ocassionally for pianos that aren't played a lot. It has a far superior sound (IMO) and our science guys (at BYU) did some spectrum studies on it and it is quite different that other wire. I just don't trust it with "high profile" players. All I will use it on is my own pianos and a few that belong to friends that I will basically work on for free, if one breaks. Funny thing is that none ever break on these, but on the practice room pianos is where I've had major problems. There are 5 others (some on this line) who have horror stories to share.

Hope that answers your questions.

Jim Busby
____________________________
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of James Grebe [jamesgrebe at charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:21 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: [pianotech] Stainless steel piano wire

Just looking through the June , 2001 journal and saw the ad from
www.puresound-wire extolling the benefits of stainless steel wire .  Do not
know if it is still around,  Anyone out there who used it and how did it
turn out.
James
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe