String Breakage (Reply)

[David ilvedson]

Barrie,

Actually a knot in the speaking length of a bass string might 
very well not (no pun intended) cause any falseness.  A knot in 
the speaking length of a plain string is another matter.  The 
trouble with tying a bass string when it breaks at the agraffe 
is having to remove some winding which invariably causes other 
problems.  In that case I would use a universal and order both 
strings if a bi-chord and replace next time in the area.  If 
it breaks at the tuning pin I would definitely tie it and 
forget about it.  What if you didn't have a hex-core universal 
string to match the broken string?  Would you put in the 
closest match you had?  I think tying strings is just another 
tool in the kit. I have to admit I've had more than a couple 
smiles and winks over your amazement of this whole thing.  

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  

> Date:          Wed, 20 Jan 1999 18:58:08 +0000
> To:            pianotech@ptg.org
> From:          Barrie Heaton <Piano@forte.airtime.co.uk>
> Subject:       Re: String Breakage (Reply)
> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org

> In article <199901200323.WAA21776@mailhost.capecod.net>, Jon Page
> <jpage@capecod.net> writes
> >
> >A properly tied knot is a work of art, it should be appreciated as such.
> >The trick is to cut the splice to the proper length to achieve three coils.
> >(three fingers, not four; drop the pinky).
> >
> >I have knots tied in the speaking length of bass strings in commercial
> >pianos which are holding fine and actually sound as good if not better 
> >them the rest of them.
> 
> 
> Come on Jon, it must make it false as hell with the knot in the speaking
> length of the string, if it sounds better then the string next to it,
> that string must be crap. 
> 
> Now that would make  Christofori turn in his Grave a knot in the
> speaking length :-)
> 
> I am still smiling over the fact you have it in your test, I can see
> some of the faces, if I said we should have it in our test. That would
> put a quiver in a few stiff upper lips.  
> 
> 
> 
> Take care
> 
> 
> Barrie,
>   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> Barrie Heaton                                  |  Be Environmentally Friendly
> URL: http://www.uk-piano.org/                  |  To Your Neighbour
> The UK Piano Page                              |  
> pgp  key on request                            |  HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED
> 
> 
> 
David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net