[CAUT] Hard bars,(was Steinway D

[Dr. Henry Nicolaides]

List,
Interesting observations!  Makes one wonder and consider the plain/core wire and also the material (hard/soft copper, iron, etc.) used to wrap the bass strings.  I wonder if manufacturers keep and would share information they may have regarding string making over the years.  I know Isaac strings, according to Ari, have a harder copper winding and require his special winding technique which does in my limited experience produce a superior (subjective observation) sounding string.  Has anyone any objective evidence regarding the comparative differences of the same string, say A1, from different makers like Mapes, Arledge, Isaac, etc.?  The last set of strings I got from Steinway to string an older B seemed to be fine, but a set I used on a D last year that had been saved in the shop as spares (from the 1990's) simply do not have the speaking ability nor are as clean and even as I would expect.  In other words, does the string and maker make much of a difference in the expected outcome?  A lot of discussion about hammers...
Henry Nicolaides
Piano Technician, School of Music
Southern Illinois University

To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:53:09 -0500
From: erwinspiano at aol.com
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Hard bars,(was Steinway D



 Hi Ed






  You know,... I had a 1927 L that had fantastic original strings. Both wrapped and plain  Original hammers were retained...for a while.

    I restrung the piano and it was a disappointment. The disparity in plain wire was quit shocking. Sustain was lacking as was color

   The bass lost something as well. Its the wire to be sure.






Dale S. Erwin


www.Erwinspiano.com


Custom restoration


Ronsen Piano hammers


Join the Weickert felt Revolution


209-577-8397


209-985-0990















.  





    It has the original bass strings and they sing.  The treble wire is intact, tunes well, and has perhaps 2 false beats in it, total. There are no string rattles.  What the hell is the problem that that can't be replicated today?  





Ed Foote RPT



http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html












 
















 



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