Harpsichord string breakage

[Fred Sturm]

Avery,
	Where is it breaking? Do tuning pins have beckets? Are you "crossing
over" a bit of vertically placed string when making the coil? 
	Not having details, my first guess would be breaking at the pin due to
additional stress caused by wire crossing over wire, creating a kink
just where the stress is highest. Brass wire is particularly prone to
this problem. Solution if there is a becket is simply not to cross wire
(unnecessary if you have enough coils). Without becket, don't allow the
final coil to cross, either cutting or prying the last bit outward.
(Hope that makes sense). 
	In a pinch, use next smaller diameter wire.
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

Avery Todd wrote:
> 
> List,
> 
>    I have our Martin harpsichord in the shop right
> now to replace some broken strings. I've replaced
> one 8' and one 4' succesfully. My problem is that
> another 4' keeps breaking just as I get it to pitch.
> The keyboard is in the correct position and the
> wire is the correct one, all according to the scale
> sheet that came with it.
>    It's a .28 mm yellow wire. So was the other 4'
> and I had no problem. Three have broken already and
> I only have one left until we reorder. There might
> be some the same size in our Phillips harpsichord
> supply but I haven't checked that yet.
>    There are still 2 other strings besides this one,
> to replace. I've replaced quite a few strings over
> the years and have never had this problem before.
>    Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? I'm about
> ready to call in a "real" harpsichord technician.
>    Happy Thanksgiving all.
> 
> Avery
> 
> P.S. I've used the Prinz HT for a Vivaldi and a
>      Messiah performance. By request, am using 1/6
>      Comma Meantone next week for a Collegium Musicum
>      performance of Italian Baroque music.