[CAUT] Storing spare bass strings

[Andrew Anderson]

Thanks Ed & Horace for the comments.  This sure beats building a 
climate controlled hanging weight cabinet.

Are there any particular parts that you believe should be kept on 
hand?  We are figuring on a few action pieces: 2 whippens 2 hammer 
shanks & flanges, & 2 checks etc.

Andrew Anderson

At 10:42 AM 5/12/2006, you wrote:

>Hi, Andrew,
>
>I agree with Ed's suggestion.  I have done essentially the same 
>thing, using a length of 4" sewer piping slung from overhead pipes, 
>in an auditorium basement for over 20 years.  I keep sets for D, B, 
>and L in it, replacing individual strings in the set as they are 
>used.  The average life of the strings is probably on the order of 5 
>- 7 years (I've never really thought about it).  So far, the average 
>number of duds has been no higher than using new-from-the-maker strings.
>
>Best.
>
>Horace
>
>
>At 04:16 AM 5/12/2006, you wrote:
>
>><< Particularly we want to have a spare for each of the wound strings on
>>an S&S D (particularly mono and bi chords).  It is my understanding
>>that wound strings are wound under tension and that if they aren't
>>shortly returned to and kept under some tension will degrade to some
>>extent >>
>>
>>Greetings,
>>      My logic and experience are both different.  I have kept a set of these
>>strings, unused,  in a sealed PVC tube for the last 18 years at the school.
>>Last year I needed  one and upon installation, it looked and sounded like a
>>brand new string.  Carbon steel doesn't deteriorate unless it is 
>>stressed beyond
>>its elastic limit, or subjected to corrosive influences.  The copper , I
>>think, does all of its resolution of stress instantly, since it is 
>>so malleable.
>>When the string maker takes it off the winding machine, it suffers all the
>>deformation it is going to.
>>     My suggestion is to simply put the strings in a straight,  airtight,
>>container and don't worry about it.
>>Regards,
>>
>>
>>
>>Ed Foote RPT
>>http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
>>www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
>
>