Baldwin pre-cut string

[John Ross]

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Hi Michael,
Mole wrenches, are called vice grips over here.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Gamble 
  To: pianotech@ptg.org 
  Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 3:39 PM
  Subject: Fw: Baldwin pre-cut string


  Hello Glen & Del
  This pre-cut string is a strange idea. I thought pianos were always strung up from, as Del says, spools of overhead string.
  But I'd like to add a little something a-propos the kinks or bends in string. I have a policy when tuning an old piano, and whenever it is possible, to use the old string by simply loosening off its companion, straightening out the old string where it had been on the hitch, and threading it up to the old wrest-pin and tuning up. I find that when doing this the tonal quality stays the same and they don't stretch like a replacement new string. You just land up with maybe two coils or less on the two wrest-pins in question. The strings eventually straighten out pretty well. I find using a "mole-wrench" on the hitch pin a good idea to hold the string in place while fiddling around with the loose end. Is "mole wrench" an international term? It's an adjustable gripping tool which can grip with incredible force if needed and is adjusted by a knurled knob sticking out of the end of one of the handles. Good description?  :-)
  Michael G (UK)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Delwin D Fandrich 
  To: Pianotech 
  Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 5:31 PM
  Subject: Re: Baldwin pre-cut string



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Crashvalve@aol.com 
    To: pianotech@ptg.org 
    Sent: October 22, 2003 5:13 AM
    Subject: Baldwin pre-cut string


    When I visited Conway in 73' they had precut and straightened wire to string the verticals. I know a straighter wire gives truer harmonics, Question is; does zig-zag roller straightening of piano wire have any downside like false beats etc ? If rollers are good, did Baldwin use then in two or four planes ?
    regards
    Glenn C. 

  Unless there is a kink in the wire, any wire stretched to 150+ lbs of tension is going to be pretty straight. With this in mind I'm not sure what you mean when you say "a straighter wire gives truer harmonics." 

  Baldwin uses straightened and pre-cut wire simply as a manufacturing expediency. These wires are purchased from Mapes to specification with each coming bundled in a package of, perhaps, a hundred or so identical wires labeled for a specific spot on a specific piano. These are then placed in one of several tubes set up so the stringer can pull whichever specific wire is needed in sequence as stringing progresses.

  The grand pianos are strung from standard 5-lb coils in rack held above the piano.

  Del

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