[pianotech] Steck/string elongation

[Jim Busby]

Thanks Del. The pics are on my work computer. I'll send them Monday. I'll get the article on "string elongation". Sounded like so much voodoo until Vince found other articles. Never heard of it before.

Jim 

________________________________________
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Delwin D Fandrich [del at fandrichpiano.com]
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:53 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steck/string elongation

| -----Original Message-----
| From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
| [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jim Busby
| Sent: July 24, 2009 8:59 AM
| To: joegarrett at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
| Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steck/string elongation
|
|
| I have not heard nor seen the piano yet. The technician that
| gave me these pictures (I have many more) is a young RPT
| student here who has an incredible talent but little
| experience, and is seeking advice.

I'd like to see those if you have time to send them to:
  del at fandrichpiano.com


|
| He said the piano is 100 cents low (+/-50 in compas) and that
| the owner says it won't stay in tune, no matter what
| technicians have done. You know there's always something that
| can be done (complete rebuild) but according to articles that
| I've read "string elongation" would be a big problem with
| this piano seeing the incredibly long upper section (non
| speaking) in the plain wire.

Yes, this is a problem. It is one the company corrected in later versions of
this design.

It will never be an easy piano to tune (and get to stay in tune) but it can be
improved by replacing the felt bearing surface with brass half-oval or
half-round. It will also need some stringing braid to dampen things down. Even
with this design flaw it can be made into a rather nice instrument.

If you can tune a Steinway 1098 you can tune one of these.

ddf