New bass strings, some dead

[PAULREVENKOJONES]

David:

I guess that I used the phrase "string making" to cover the whole gamut, from the technical manufacture of the string to the scaling knowledge and design applied to the work. So, yes, both, he's the best string maker I've encountered and I like his scales. My experience with Sanderson, Arledge, Mapes, Schaff, and strings from any of the manufacturers has been that there is an audible difference with/without a twist. While I don't know the full mechanics of bass string making well, either, I can only imagine that there is "compensation" (action/reaction) for the tension put on the core wire by the copper wrapping, that the core will tend to resist the twist induced by the wrap. Someone out there certainly knows more about this than me. 

Paul

"If you want to know the truth, stop having opinions" (Chinese fortune cookie)


In a message dated 08/02/07 22:49:18 Central Daylight Time, davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes:
Do you mean the he’s the best string maker you’ve encountered or you like his scales?  There is a difference.  I am dubious of “string making” claims as reasons for great tone but do put a lot of credence in scale design.  There are some excellent string makers whose scales you may or may not like but who do precision work.  I’ve used JD Grandt for awhile now and he recommends ½ turn.  I’ve installed a couple by mistake with no turn and there really wasn’t any difference in tone.  Sanderson strings also don’t require a full turn in order to “come alive” nor do Arledge.  When I used Mapes strings (awhile now) they routinely needed to be twisted or they sounded dead—and sometimes they sounded dead anyway.  While I can’t say I understand the mechanics of twisting I do wonder whether it’s a compensation of some sort or whether the twisting happens during the wrapping process with some makers and not with others.  Anyway, all you string making experts, please enlighten me.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of PAULREVENKOJONES
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 8:27 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: New bass strings, some dead



"If you want to know the truth, stop having opinions" (Chinese fortune cookie)


In a message dated 08/02/07 22:06:35 Central Daylight Time, davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes:
Strings shouldn't require twisting to sound good.
David:

This has always baffled me. Even with the strings from Danny at GC which I dearly love, one twist as I'm installing them makes a huge difference, every time. I used to believe the sentiment you express above, and it represents an ideal world in which strings properly wrapped maintain the internal wrap tension and "grab" on the swage, but it doesn't happen that way. I've tried a lot of string makers over the years, GC is so far the best for my money and my customers' satisfaction, but I've never found a set of strings that could simply be installed with no twist whatsoever. I'd be really interested in other's take on this issue.

Paul 
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