Out of control

[Fred Sturm]

Mark Cramer wrote:
> 
> When our recital D began spontaneously ejecting strings (treble), I
> deliberately spliced rather than replaced them. I do like splicing for all
> the right reasons, but also feel it makes a vivid visual picture of the
> condition of the instrument. i.e. when I pointed out the splices and
> suggested it was nigh time for restringing, everyone agreed. The piano spoke
> for itself.
> 
> Mark Cramer,
> Brandon University

Great idea, Mark! 
	On the other hand, one bass string breaking is not necessarily a sign
of things to come. I have a spliced C1 on the primary D in our recital
hall that has held for over five years. No other strings have chosen to
join it.
	SPlicing ain't so bad if you learn the knack, even with fat wire.
Spurlock's method making the little circle of wire with the end of a
vise grips made splicing a cinch for me. Clockwise for the repair piece,
make a little bend, slide it over the actual string, counterclockwise
for the string, make a little bend, slide the end of the repair through
the hole, pull tight. Getting the fat coil over the tuning pin - becket
in the hole - is the hard part.
Cheers!
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico