Breaking strings

[Kent Swafford]

On Sunday, March 23, 2003, at 06:18  AM, Phil Bondi wrote:

> I see very little splicing in the field. When I do, it's usually a
> mess and a problem to tune(always a tad flat).

Splices are generally considered permanent repairs. If the splice holds 
when you first bring up the tension on the new knot, there is every 
reason to think it will last as long as needed. My experience is that 
spliced strings tune just like regular strings.

> I understand the PTG's requirement that this skill at least be aquired 
> to
> pass its test, but I also understand my own concience and my own 
> 'customer
> service' attitude. I want that customer to feel that when a string 
> breaks,
> they'll get a new one, which is what I do. I'm obviously not 
> provicient, and
> probably don't care to be since I have yet to make an attempt in the 
> field
> to splice.

The last time I tied a bass string was, uh, yesterday morning. A lady 
with a Mason & Hamlin AA had called. She couldn't practice because a 
low bass string (single string unison) had broken and was laying across 
the rest of the bass strings. Over the phone I helped her get me the 
model, serial number, and the string number. I told her I would order a 
new string and call her when I had it, but that didn't satisfy her. 
That left only one option -- I went out, tied the string so all the 
notes would play, tuned the piano, and charged her enough to cover the 
cost of the new string that is on order. Maybe it will get put on in 
the future, maybe not. Meanwhile she's happy, only because I can tie a 
string.

Kent Swafford