[CAUT] When to restring...

[tannertuner]

I think if the corrosion on the steel strings is causing rendering issues, that would be the main reason I'd want to restring. And I would consider changing the agraffes. In the scheme of things, a relatively inexpensive upgrade, and takes half a day. I know, I know, the new agraffes aren't perfect either. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen what I would call serious manufacturing defects from S&S agraffes from that era. Terribly unlevel holes, holes of different sizes, and some looked like they were just drilled through with a drill bit - not even tapered holes. These kinds of problems can't be fixed with any kind of reamer or polisher.
 
I'm putting on a set of NY hammers and new NYI shanks right now. I used no more than 6" of travel paper with the shank flanges, and the hammers have hung beautifully. Will see what they sound like later this week.
 
Jeff

--- On Tue, 8/3/10, Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> wrote:


From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>
Subject: [CAUT] When to restring...
To: "CAUTlist" <caut at ptg.org>
Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 12:20 PM


Hi all, 

When do you all decide when to restring a grand?  I have now in the shop a S&S M from the 60's from one of our classrooms.  Besides an action overhaul with new hammers, shanks and flanges, I'm considering restringing.  It is original (I think) with lots of corrosion on the plain wires.  The bass isn't the worst I've heard, but a new set of strings there is probably a good call.  I haven't yet checked the bridge pins, but it's riddled with false beats throughout, so I'm thinking of loose bridge pins and poor termination points.  The downbearing is fine and the board and pinblock are fine as well....for it's age and vintage. 

Typically, when I restring, I replace bridge pins as well as agraffes and tuning pins.  Do you go this far? not as much? farther?  I'm not in any hurry on this one as I put a "loaner" grand in the classroom for fall semester. 

Thanks for any input. 

Best, 
Paul T. Williams RPT
Univ. of Nebraska 
Lincoln, NE
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