[pianotech] Kawai electric piano breaking bass strings.

[John Ross]

I would say contact Kawai.
See if there was a problem, and what their fix was.
They might have designed a new scale for the piano.
I can't see a reputable company like that, not following through on an 
apparent problem.
John Ross,
Windsor, Nova Scotia
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Spalding" <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 5:27 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Kawai electric piano breaking bass strings.


Client just bought a used Kawai EP308.  88-note "grand", conventional
action and dampers, no soundboard, piezo-electric pickup under the
bridge.  Got a good price because there were some broken bass strings.
Prior owner's tech tried replacing them with universals, and they broke
again.  Then the prior owner bought scale data over the internet, had
strings custom wound, and they broke.  The foregoing history is all
hearsay:  no written documentation, first-hand accounts, nor physical
evidence available.  All 3 sets of broken strings (originals,
universals, and custom scale) have been lost/discarded.

Do these electric pianos have a history of breaking bass strings?  Is it
safe to specify new strings with characteristics similar to their
neighbors, or should I be designing to a lower percent of break
strength?  The missing strings are E2, F2, A2, C3, and D3.  Neighboring
notes are at about 60% of breaking strength.

thanks

Mike