Wire Size

[Porritt, David]

I just had to rib you a bit.  When I started working at SMU 20 years ago
my predecessor had put universals on a lot of the pianos (I even saw a
piano for an outside client where he had restrung the whole bass section
with universals!!)  One of the first things I did was to replace all
those universal strings with appropriate ones.  Seriously, I can see
their use in situations as you describe below, but I really don't like
them.

 

dave 

 

David M. Porritt

dporritt at smu.edu

________________________________

From: Joseph Garrett [mailto:joegarrett at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 3:39 PM
To: Porritt, David; Pianotech List
Subject: RE: Wire Size

 

Ah, come on David! I don't "hate" pianos. There are some that gain my
loathing, but that's not the reason to use "Universals". Some pianos are
"just make it work" kinds, these are not going to last much longer and
the owners are not going to dump a bunch of bucks into them. Example:
1880, Over Damper, English, Rust up the whazzoo, Parts are extremely
fragile, owned by an 80 year old spinster on a fixed income......yada!
Get the picture? Universals have their place. Especially, if care is
taken to install them properly. In order to do that, one needs to have a
good micrometer, scaling knowlege, and meticulous skill. It is not a
string to replace on a S&S "B" or such, (even though I've done it, in a
"pinch" situation.<G>)

I suggest you get your nose out of the clouds and greet the Real World
realistically, in this regard. Just my Opinion. 

For those who only have high-end clientelle, like you obviously do, then
I can understand why you don't use them. For me, Square Grands, Square
Pianos, Over-Damper Uprights and a lot of weird, POS pianos, is the
norm. (Just did two Square Grands and an Over-Damper piano this week.)
(I have over 70 Squares in my Data Base.)

 

Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)

Captain, Tool Police

Squares R I

 

 

 

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: Porritt, David <mailto:dporritt at mail.smu.edu>  

	To: joegarrett at earthlink.net;Pianotech List
<mailto:pianotech at ptg.org> 

	Sent: 6/3/06 10:34:45 AM 

	Subject: RE: Wire Size

	 

	Joe:

	 

	I've been doing this work for 33+ years and while I used to have
universal bass strings I haven't for about 25 years.  What do you use
them for?  (i.e. what kind of piano do you hate so much that you use
universals on it?)

	 

	dave

	 

	David M. Porritt

	dporritt at smu.edu

	
________________________________


	From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
[mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Joseph Garrett
	Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 9:41 AM
	To: pianotech
	Subject: Re: Wire Size

	 

	It is best to invest in the Tools of the Trade. First: a good
micrometer. Second: Order the 1/3rd pound coils of wire, (with the
Brake) Third: A complete set of Universal Bass Strings. Anything less,
is not professional, IMO.

	Since Money is always an issue, I'd suggest the Micrometer
First, (borrow wire from your Mentor).

	Regards,

	 

	 

	Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)

	Captain, Tool Police

	Squares R I

	 

	 

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