Subject: Time: 10:08 AM OFFICE MEMO Re Twisting Bass Strings Date: 12/6/95 --------------------ORIGINAL POST------------------- At our last chapter meeting, the pres. noticed my bass stringing job on an "O" Steinway. He asked how many turns I had put on these strings. I told him that I was of the school of thought to abstain from twisting new bass strings. He posed the question during when the meeting started: "Should we twist new bass strings?" The ones that commented indicated a half twist for the most part. A Baldwin factory tech inserted that all their bass strings were twisted in the factory. What are some of your comments please? Richard Boyington Piano Technical Coodinator Amro Music Memphis, TN -----------------------MY REPLY---------------------- I always twist bass strings when installing. In fact, I twist them more than one turn if the string's resistance to torsional force will allow. Factory reps out there correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is common practice with virtually all manufacturers. To determine how much to twist, I cut and coil the string on the tuning pin and drive it into the block. I then go to the hitch pin end and twist the string with my fingers, using a pair of pliers on the braided part of the wire to keep the string from untwisting when I release my hand from the string to prepare for another twist. I do this about every five notes or so to determine when more twists are needed. During the stringing process, when I am not determining how much to twist, I twist the strings from the tuning pin side after coiling the string on the pin. I find that a half to one twist is all that is necessary with the real fat strings and that very fine wound strings usually need about three full twists. After the piano is strung and up to pitch and the hammer action is mated well to the strings, I will go through and "voice" the bass strings, giving dull sounding strings a little more of a twist if necessary. Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory
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