Hello Maggie and List No, so-called "screw-stringers" weren't that bad. It was a bit of "bicycle technology" used in a different application. You could get fine tuning with these "stringers" - rather akin to tuning a violin or 'cello using the adjusters only. Their biggest problem lay in unorthodoxy. To restring one or more of these string terminations is difficult in the extreme. I know - I've done it. There's a sort of cap arrangement over the end of the screw which captivates the end of the string. Rather in the same way the orthodox kneb is captivated in the wrest-pin hole. Getting it right first time is the problem. I dare say with practice it can be done - in fact that must be so else they wouldn't exist. Suddenly faced with a broken string in one of those I would know what to do but it stops one in one's tracks - so to speak - and takes up valuable field worktime. Charge accordingly. Another part of this screw-stringer type of tuning is the lack of "feel" which you get with the normal wrest-pin. True, you don't have to "set" the pin - you can't. All in all I, for one, am glad the "screw-stringer" never "took off". Regards Michael G.(UK) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maggie Jusiel" <mags@magsmusic.net> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 5:16 AM Subject: screw-stringers > I've seen "screw-stringers" on an old baby-grand, and was wondering why > they were discontinued? Were they that bad? > > Thanks, > Maggie > > Maggie Jusiel > Piano Tuner > Winds & Strings Teacher > PO Box 1234 > Athens, WV 24712-1234 > (304)952-8615 > <mags@magsmusic.net> > <http://www.magsmusic.net> > > >
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