Tuning Pins

[Jim]

Hi Glen:

Most American made pianos start with 00 size tuning pins. Have you
measured yours to know for sure that they were 1/0. If they were
actually 2/0 or 00, then going to 3/0 would only be going up one size.
The reason most people recommend going 2 sizes larger is that there is
some damage to the hole in removing the old pins, so 2 sizes larger is
more secure.  The chances of this piano being repinned again are very
small indeed, so I wouldn't worry about using up the available sizes
for the future. Usually a new block will be installed before a second
repinning would be necessary.

Jim Coleman, Sr.




On Wed, 14 May 1997 Glen_Deligdisch@sil.org wrote:

>      May 14, 1997
>
>      Dear List,
>
>      I am trying to pull together all of the information I can in
>      preparation for re-stringing my old upright (my first).  There seems
>      to be quite a range of opinion on what size the new tuning pins should
>      be.  Some say I should automatically ream and install two sizes
>      larger.  Some say I should save the pin block and go back in with one
>      size up.  I can see the advantages of both suggestions but am still
>      uncertain of what might be the normal practice or best.
>
>      Reblitz kind of sides with both by using the present condition of the
>      piano to be the determining factor.
>
>      My piano is a Stieff made in 1904.  It still has the original 1/0 pins
>      and I suspect the original strings (?).  The pins are definitely loose
>      and need changing besides the fact that I need to learn how it is all
>      done.
>
>      As far as my piano is concerned I am not worried about what size the
>      next pins will be.  I am concerned about the customer that I might be
>      helping somewhere down the road.  I have 1/0 which gives my piano the
>      potential of several more pinnings if needed with a 2 size increase
>      each time.  But if a customer already has 3/0 and I just simply go up
>      2 sizes, that piano might be hard pressed for another pinning in the
>      future.
>
>      My question then is:  What rule of thumb do you folks use to determine
>      what size pin is appropriate for a re-stringing job.
>
>      Thanks for your insights,
>
>      Glen
>
>      ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>      Glen and Ruth Deligdisch
>      P.O. Box 248
>      Waxhaw, NC  28173
>
>      Tel:  (704) 843-6047
>
>      E-mail:  Glen_Deligdisch@SIL.ORG
>
>
>
>