wire curve

[Michael Jorgensen]

Hi All,
    Stringing where the curves are mixed horizontal and vertical modes
look very unlevel before chipping, therefore require more leveling at
pitch.  Also wonder if it increases the tendency of some to climb 
bridge pins.  Could it be related to the ability of some unisons to
couple better, i.e same variances between prompt and aftersound pitch,
i.e resulting in more sustain?   A string from an 80 year old piano
still bends when removed so therefore it is a force acting on the string
and thus affecting the tone.  IMHO there are some affects which should
not be dismissed only because no scientific testing has been done.
-Mike

Ron Nossaman wrote:
> 
> Hi Gang, It's me again, with another one of *these*. Let's have some fun and
> see what we can learn.
> 
> I've heard a considerable number of rather vague references to accommodating
> the "natural" curve of the wire when stringing. Frankly, this sounds to me
> just like all the other mythology and Voodoo surrounding pianos, including
> magic soundboard varnish, what flavor tuning tip you use, duplex
> optimization, etc. Before you get the mob fired up, I'll try to explain.
> 
> First of all, the "natural" curve in the wire isn't natural. It's the first
> permanent bend the wire suffers downhill of the drawing dies, isn't it? It's
> semantics, I know, but "natural" implies that wire *should* be curved,
> presumably so the stringer will have something else to fuss with while
> fighting the wire into the singularly *unnatural* configurations in which
> it's used in pianos.
> 
> Secondly, in what way is the curve accommodated when installing the string?
> Is the idea to wind wire on the tuning pin in the same direction it's
> already curved to try to minimize the trauma to the wire? Bad news gang, you
> have to bend it the other way at the hitch pin, unless you want to twist the
> wire a half turn (horrors!). Which is the more heinous act? Who that you
> know is even CAPABLE of cranking a wire around the hitch pin against the
> curve with bare hands? Then again, wire doesn't break at hitch pins, does
> it? Or is the curve in the speaking length the more important? Do you want
> it curving up, down, left, or right, and why? You are going to lose at the
> bridge in any case.
> 
> A string that was twisted on installation, even a little bit, has been a
> handy goat for every conceivable string noise that the tech is otherwise at
> a loss to explain or fix. Just how big a deal do you suppose this is? I
> doubt there is a stringer on the planet that doesn't routinely put at least
> a quarter turn twist in plain wire when installing it. I don't see how it's
> avoidable. It's quite likely that all the plain wire installed by an
> efficient stringer has the *natural* curve lying in roughly the same
> direction, but that's a consequence of letting the wire go onto the tuning
> pin in the way that requires minimum battle on the part of the stringer.
> It's not a conscious decision to have the curve going in any particular
> direction, at least in my case. The stringer will do whatever hurts the
> least and is the fastest.
> 
> I'd like to hear any real reasons for orienting string curve in any
> particular direction. If it's for sound production, I want to know why there
> is a difference and what the difference is. If it can't be demonstrated, it
> probably doesn't exist. Is there a real body of evidence to support this, or
> is it just another speculative magic thing that has been generally accepted
> because it sounds sort of technical?
> 
> Well, hey, *someone* has to challenge this stuff.
> 
>  Ron