Breaking strings - Was: tough work

[Robin Olson]

  String spliceing is not just an arbitrary challenge to pass the RPT 
exam.I have used it in many cases in the field for very good 
reasons.One reason is when a bass string breaks on a good quality 
grand,string spliceing is a better option than installing a universal 
or waiting for a duplicate string to be ordered.A universal bass 
string will create voiceing problems and it is unlikely you will ever 
get the tone to match.A duplicated string might still not match 
exactly,and it and a universal will go out of tune badly very soon.A 
good splice will hardly drop at all and after that it will stay in 
tune well.New bass strings take for ever to settle down especially on 
high tension scales.I have also found spliceing quicker than 
replaceing a treble wire,especially in the tenor section on uprights 
and grands.Instead of threading a long loop of wire under overstrung 
bass stings,you can work on the knot easily above the V bar and at the 
pin.I service a thirty year old S'way 1098 that broke a string on e3.I 
spliced it in less than five minutes.That was about five years ago and 
I have never bothered to put a new string on.The note is more stable 
now than it would be if I had spent fifteen minutes putting a new 
string on and repeated trips to retune it.
       So any associates out there who think they shouldn't have to 
learn to splice strings,quit your whineing and learn how.It will save 
you time and improve your professionalism.          Robin Olson

----- Original Message -----
From: HazenBannister@cs.com
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2003 2:02 pm
Subject: Re: Breaking strings - Was: tough work

> In a message dated 03/23/2003 7:18:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> tito@philbondi.com writes: 
> > There's no doubt my inability for splicing will prevent me from 
> becomming> President of the PTG!,
> > 
> Phil,
>  String splicing is not nearly as hard as people make it out to 
> be.I have a 
> picture showing you how to do the splicing,that is simple.I'll try 
> to get a 
> picture with my digital camera,and email it to you.You can 
> laminate it,and 
> keep it in your case,until you remrmber how to tie the knot.
> Best,
> Hazen Bannister
>