Restringing preparation

[rchayden1@juno.com]

I was taught to drop tension very carefully and methodically, by an RPT 
tech who had a frame explode when he was raising tension!!  However,
another more experienced friend from rebuilding shops was far less timid
about it. 
 I have used several methods, but have found that having a really good
set of cutters and cutting at the pin, (Yes, it's noisy), seems easiest
and fastest.  The cutters are deep, have offset jaws, are guaranteed for
life, and I got them at home Home Depot.  I still like cutting the
strings systematically to drop tension evenly.

Roger Hayden, RPT

On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 13:39:38 +1300 "Brian Holden" <bholden@wave.co.nz>
writes:
>Thanks Stephen.  Yes, I think that with most modern pianos you could 
>just get in there with the cutters, but the procedure you suggest is 
>pretty much the way I figured it should really be done.  Brian 
>    -----Original Message-----
>    From: Stephen Powell <pianotec@ihug.co.nz>
>    To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
>    Date: Sunday, 24 October 1999 13:23
>    Subject: Re: Restringing preparation 
>    
>    
>    Hello Brian
>     
>    I usually drop the tension on the strings in this order:
>        left string of each plain wire trichord
>        left string of each bichord    
>        every second monochord    
>        centre string of each trichord    
>        remainder of bass strings
>        remainder of treble strings
>     
>    However, I have heard of techs just chomping through the wire from 
>one end to the other with cutters without dropping tension at all!  
>I'm not that brave.
>     
>    Stephen Powell RPT
>    Auckland, NZ
>        -----Original Message-----
>        From: Brian Holden <bholden@wave.co.nz>
>        To: Pianotech messages <pianotech@ptg.org>
>        Date: Sunday, 24 October 1999 11:28 AM
>        Subject: Restringing preparation 
>        
>        
>        What is the approved procedure for lowering string tension in 
>preparation for restringing?
>         
>        Brian bholden@wave.co.nz