Thanks, Del. When I said square core wire I meant hexagonal. Sorry. But your post has given me the answer I was looking for. I wasn't aware that there were so many variables to consider when making bass strings. Thanks. Ted Simmons >> Someone please satisfy my curiosity. What can you do to a bass string to >> make it better? All it is is copper wrapped around a square-shaped steel >> core wire. >> I can't see where one type of copper is better than another since it only >> adds weight, and piano wire is basically the same all over. So what is it >> that makes the difference? I'd really like to know. >> >> Ted Simmons >> Merritt Island, FL >> > >Ted, > >Actually, quite a lot. > >There are different types of core wire that can be used, though none of >it is square that I know of. The so-called "universal" (which I take to >mean "universally worthless") strings use a hexagonal core wire as do >the bass strings on some European pianos. But square? I don't know of >any. > >As may be...there are also different types of copper wrap wire. Some is >softer, some is harder. > >Even if the materials are identical, there can be considerable >differences in how they are made. The string winder may use higher or >lower tension on the core while the wrap wire is being spun on. He (she) >may use higher or lower tension on the wrap wire. Some winders are much >more careful with the precise point at which the wrap wire starts and >stops than are others. > >I design the stringing scales for all of the pianos that we rebuild as >well as for new pianos. When we order bass strings for a piano being >rebuilt, I specify the diameter of the core wire, the diameter of the >wrap wire and the diameter of the inner wrap (if any) that are to be >used. I also specify the distance from the bridge pin at which the wrap >should start and the distance from the agraffe at which the winding >should stop (with the string at tension). And, I expect to get exactly >what I order. > >Some winders are careful to follow my instructions precisely, others >seem to feel that their best guess is close enough, and at least one (GC >in Toronto, Canada) refuses to wrap to my scales entirely. He says they >"won't work." I'm not sure how many more years of experience I'll need >as a piano & scale designer before people will accept that I want what I >want (and am paying for) and not what they want to send me. If the >design is wrong I'll accept the responsibility for it. Ah, well... > >If you're really interested, find somebody who is willing to let you >watch them wrap a set of strings. You'll see. > >ddf
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