[pianotech] Noise in Bass Strings

[David Love]

I doubt Walter asked for them that way.  The string maker probably decided
that it was necessary.  I would ask Arledge (I think they do their
strings--not sure).  That type of wrap is fairly common among European
string makers and I've had sets done with those type of finishes that
created no problems.  In spite of modern string making methods that
supposedly prevent these longitudinal wave problems they do happen.  I don't
really understand why they occur but it has been suggested that certain
relationships with core/wrap ratios can be problematic or it can simply be
an anomaly in the manufacturing.  Since you have the recording I would
confirm the string maker with Walter and send it to them for comment.  I
don't think the other suggestions will have any impact.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Terry Farrell
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 7:21 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Noise in Bass Strings

Thanks Ron. Some good el-cheepo non-destructive suggestions. Worth a try.

I was wondering whether those four bass strings with the over-wrapped (or
whatever) ends are original - they're obviously different from the rest.
Owner bought piano new and has never had any work done on it. My guess is
that it is original. But why would Walter use two different types of wrap
ends? Seems odd.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Terry Farrell

On Aug 5, 2012, at 9:35 PM, Ron Nossaman wrote:

> On 8/5/2012 7:55 PM, Terry Farrell wrote:
> 
>> I'm certainly not sure exactly what the cause of the noise is, but 
>> I'm guessing that replacing the four upper-most bass strings is the 
>> easiest, least costly and most likely way to solve the problem.
>> 
>> Any thoughts?
> 
> I'm not sure either, except that wrapped strings are categorically
haunted.
> 
> Not that it'll help, but I'd try the REALLY cheap stuff first, like
snugging the strings around the bridge pins (very unlikely) and see if the
hammer hits both strings at once. Pointless, probably, being so low in the
scale, but non destructive. Check bearing, etc.
> 
> Got any PitchLocks?
> 
> Are those over wrapped ends original, or have they already been replaced
once for just this problem? Anyone out there know? Walter will, tomorrow.
I'd also clamp a Vise-Grip on the end of the bridge and see what that did.
Any and all information I could get in one trip without doing damage. Then,
as a last resort if nothing else I could think of works, replace the strings
and hope.
> 
> Then report back...
> Ron N