Do I need to RESTRING?

[Peter KESTENS]

Glenn,

Don't hesitate, restring!  It looks and sound much nicer.
Concerning the soundboard, I've seen yet different (cheap) pianos with this
finish; it doesn't have influence on the sound, but doesn't look to be a
beautifull finish.  If you want to do a nice job (and you have the time and
corrage to do it), scrape the old finish, be shure to have a smooth surface
and  lacquer it different times (4 and even more)
But as you say, no good strings and beautifull soundboard; yes it is done to
have a cheap piano.
Peter
't MUZIEKINSTRUMENTENATELIER
PETER KESTENS
BELGIUM
KESTENS.P@DEBCOM.BE
-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Glenn <rockymtn@sprynet.com>
Aan: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Datum: vrijdag 12 december 1997 20:42
Onderwerp: Do I need to RESTRING?


>Hello All.
>
>I have been presented with a project from a local piano store.  This guy
>picked up a couple of Yamaha's from an outfit in Florida.  One of them (a
>6.5 footer) was manufactured in 1967.  It has two pedals.  I am sure it
>originally came from somewhere in Asia.  I have two questions:
>
>The bass strings are to be replaced.  When I got there he already had them
>shipped out to Mapes.  The wire has some minor corrosion.  I tried 0000
wool
>on it and it gets clean but the corrosion stays in places.  The strings
seem
>fine in sound and feel.  None of them have threatened to break yet!  The
>store owner and I felt it would be a good idea to restring since it will
>have shiny new bass strings and these unsightly treble wire otherwise.
>Should I try a different method of cleaning (that green block thingy) or
>just go ahead and restring?  Are these scales readily available or should I
>just duplicate the wire size?
>
>The other question is the soundboard.  It is solid in every respect except
>the finish.  The finish underneath is smooth but on top it is very rough.
>It is the wood equivalent to a plate in your basic Kimball upright.  Rough
>to the touch.  Again, I think it is aesthetics.  He wants me to try to wool
>it or somehow to get it to look and feel smoother.  Was this finish
>intentional or is there a connection between the minor string corrosion and
>this rough soundboard finish (exposure to high humidity, etc.)?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Glenn.
>
>