[pianotech] Petrof breakng strings

[J Patrick Draine]

Don Mannino (and I think Del Fandrich) have presented interesting bits of
information about this in classes at PTG conventions. The major brand names
of piano wire production make at least two grades, perhaps three, depending
on the piano manufacturers' requests and budgets . Perhaps Ed Sutton et al
at the Journal will write an article with their input, as well as the folks
at Mapes (and any other willing piano wire manufacturers)?? Hope, hope.
Patrick

On Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 10:15 AM, Laura Olsen <laura-olsen at att.net> wrote:

> Has anyone seen what seems to be a different kind of string on lesser
> expensive pianos? It could be scaling issues but I swear the string seems
> "softer".  These are newer pianos, many Asian.  I guess they're not really
> meant for serious playing.
> I thought it might be a cost reducing measure.
>
> Laura
>
> On Sep 8, 2011, at 7:32 AM, Mike Spalding wrote:
>
> > 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
>
>
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