Rendering, et al

[David ilvedson]

Is this ping sound like the pings you get when bringing a new 
set of bass strings up to pitch?

David Ilvedson, RPT

Date sent:      	Mon, 10 May 1999 11:36:14 -0400
To:             	pianotech@ptg.org
From:           	harvey <harvey@greenwood.net>
Subject:        	Re: Rendering, et al 
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> I hope y'all work this thing out, because this inquiring mind wants to know!
> 
> I have the agraffe bit and the round abrasive cord, etc. However, I also
> have the same problem Ron's describing on a NEW, large, famous piano. I
> won't mention any names, but will simply state that the initials are
> Steinway & Sons.
> 
> So, where do I go from here? I'm caught between S&S, the dealer, and the
> owner, considering the age of the unit. I don't really consider this a
> warranty matter, rather a tuning nuisance. Since this is a performance
> instrument, needless to say the nuisance factor comes up quite often!
> 
> Specific symptoms: for testing purposes, if an offending string is pulled
> slowly (non-impact method), there will be a slight grating sound, like a
> miniature fine-toothed ratchet wrench. This should not be confused with a
> ratcheting tuning pin. I suppose the sound could be equated to slowly
> dragging one's fingernail longitudinally across a bichord winding... tic,
> tic, tic. I've heard this sound before, and frankly never liked it -- like
> something wasn't rendering correctly. A few times in the past (other
> pianos), this sound was at some point accompanied by a broken string --
> indeed proving that something wasn't quite right. Then, there's the "ping"
> at some point. Of course, that point is exactly where that pin/string needs
> to be to be in tune and properly rendered. Why is that always the case?
> Regardless, I cannot assure that I'm leaving the pin/string in a rendered
> state.
> 
> The condition is global to the entire piano, but local to certain
> individual pins/strings. Although I haven't had a lot of 'quality' time
> with the instrument, I have noticed that it could use some serious string
> leveling. Whether this will help matters (bass too?) I don't know. I'm also
> reluctant to start "swapping ends" around the hitch at this point. The
> piano is used too much to destabilize it that much. Besides, can't do that
> with bass strings.
> 
> Two things for sure -- I'm not looking forward to spending the remainder of
> my career fighting those pinging strings; and, because of being in the
> middle (politically), I'm not exactly in a position to pull/check/replace
> agraffes, strings or whatever.
> 
> Need more input! 
> 
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net