[pianotech] cat urine/tubby bass strings

[Cy Shuster]

I'd start by checking the twist at the hitch pin for one string. It might have too many twists as you say, or more commonly, too few. If the tubby sound began right away with the new strings, it makes sense to review your whole new string checklist (tap the loops down on the hitch pins, too, and pull them up at the agraffes).

By the way, Dave Schwartz at Cory Products has a new product just to attack mouse urine. Might help in this case, too, if there's smell left.

Cy Shuster, RPT
Albuquerque, NM

www.shusterpiano.com
www.facebook.com/shusterpiano

On Oct 13, 2011, at 9:02 PM, Jim Henson wrote:

> A cust. has a Steinway M that his cat urinated in the bass area of soundboard approx. 20 yrs. ago. He is a good musician. He said piano sounded great before fluffy decided to hose it down. He had a tech. replace strings of entire bass section however hasn't sounded well since. I relocated the stringing/braiding cloth of the non-speaking section of bi-chords & they sound fine now. I have not let the tension down on the unichords yet not wanting to rush into this. A thought would be he may have wrapped the strings too many x's @ the hitchpins. The board has plenty of resonance & no visable damage to inside/outside that I can see by inspection. The urine was on the board 2 wks. I have lightly tapped strings @ bridgepins. I feel piano is to new for loose bridgepins. Strings are tubby & dead. Any input would be appreciated.