Harpsichord string breakage

[Ed Sutton]

Avery-
    Have you checked the nut and pin to be sure there isn't a burr that is
abrading the string, or a groove that is binding it?  Could there be a
repair to that pin which has left a drop of glue on the surface.  (Maybe the
maker miss drilled for the pin, then plugged the nut and redrilled.)
    Maybe you could try putting a tiny drop of ProLube on the bearing point?
    Also make sure that the 8' hasn't drifted sharp, so that you're tuning
the 4' past breaking point.
Ed