[pianotech] Petrof breakng strings

[Mike Spalding]

On 9/7/2011 7:01 PM, Joseph Garrett wrote:
> From: Mike Spalding<mike.spalding1 at frontier.com>
> Mike said: "To: Pianotech<pianotech at ptg.org>
> Subject: [pianotech] petrof grand breaking strings
> Message-ID:<4E67DE17.4020606 at frontier.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> A non-computerized colleague has asked me to post this question: A
> 3-year old Petrof grand, 5' 8", is experiencing string breakage in the
> capo section, which in this piano extends from the top of the agraffed
> tenor all the way to note 88. It is played several hours per day by a
> gifted 12-year-old boy. He is normal size for his age. The tech has
> filed hammers and increased let-off, but it continues to break strings.
> He has considered rounding off the v-bar, which he has observed (with a
> mirror) to be quite narrow and sharp. Question: is this model
> particularly prone to breaking strings? How would you attack this problem?
>
> thanks,"
>
> Mike,
> I would first take the scale and evaluate the tension/breaking strength
> situation. Once I did that I'd probably re-contour the Capo Bar and smooth
> it. If that didn't take care of it, I'd just restring the areas in
> question. As for the regulation, I've found that if the piano is in good
> regulation and the hammers are properly surfaced, (er......"shaped"...hate
> that term!), to the proper contact shape, The breaking string problem goes
> away. Exceptions to that are Southern Baptist Situations w/o a proper
> Monitor for the pianist. I'd also ask what kind of music is being played
> and ask when the last time the musician had a hearing evaluation.<G>
> That's my take on that.
> Joe
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
>
Joe,

Thanks for your input.  I passed your recommendations along to my 
colleague; hopefully he'll be able to resolve this problem.

Mike