Hi, Dale, I know we've talked on the phone a little about our shared perception of some older pianos having better than expected sound for their age; it seems especially the case for 1890's Steinways which haven't been rebuilt. I know that there is some difference in the composition of cast steel wire from piano to piano, even in the same make, from the 1880's to 1910's, but I believe that Pure Sound wire is to be used on pianos with short scales, that is, whose treble scales had significantly shorter speaking lengths, because the wire was more flexible than modern cast steel wire. Mid-19th-century pianos after iron wire fit that category, including Steinway through 1878 (like the Style 2's which you and I have each dealt with). Ed Swensen's website (Mozartpianos.com) includes information on wire composition analysis, including modern Steinways from the late 19th century; I am not sure that Pure Sound would work well on these pianos, but I wonder if today's wire (Roslau, Intern. Gold) is generally stiffer than 1890's wire. Bill Shull, RPT In a message dated 4/1/01 3:09:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Erwinpiano@email.msn.com writes: << List' I've been contemplating with interest the tonal qualities of the new pure sound wire I've seen advertised in the journal recently. I also read the suppliers article in the ptj but didn't find it complete. Has any one out there who has extensive restringing, rebuilding exp. used this product and comment on any type of increase in sound clarity,sustain or whatever. It is amazing that on some old but well preserved pianos that the old strings at least to my ear sound as good and sometimes better than the new ones. Am I hearing things or what? Be nice. Dale Erwin >>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC