String wire gagues in Japanese pianos

[Avery Todd]

Robin,

When one orders metric wire from Mapes (& I assume anywhere else) it
comes with an "American" type designation: 15, 15-1/2, etc. That
doesn't mean it'll mic out the same as American wires. Some are the
same and some aren't. I have two sets at the university: American and
metric. Are you thoroughly confused now? :-)

Avery

At 06:09 PM 06/11/03 -0400, you wrote:


>      I overheard a conversation recently at a Guild meeting that has
>me wondering about a few things.What I heard was that American and
>Japanese wire sizes are different.Meaning that if a Kawai has 15 gague
>marked on the bridge(or plate)you should put 14.5 gague American wire
>to match the string you are replaceing.I usually use a micrometer when
>replaceing strings so I haven't paid much attention to the written
>guage markings.I worked on a Boston today that had a broken string in
>the upper treble.I mic'ed it and it measured 15 gague which was what
>was marked on the bridge.When I got it up to tension,the string level
>was not correct.When testing the hammer to string fit,the two lengths
>that were replaced were blocking on the hammer,but the original string
>was ringing.I am thinking now that the tech before me replaced the
>same string without checking it on the micrometer.I guess I failed to
>mention that the same string had broken about three years ago(Same
>situation where the owner reports the string broke while playing).
>     What puzzles me is that I have worked for a Kawai dealer for over
>twenty years,and have never heard of any problem with wire sizes.But
>it is clear to me that the problem with string breakage on the Boston
>I saw today is due to the wrong size wire being replaced.
>      Any thoughts?            Robin Olson RPT
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives