Breaking strings

[A440A@aol.com]

Lance writes:
<<
I have a customer with a Steinway B (University) that has begun breaking
strings.  The piano is less than 10 yrs old.  Other than
wearing/flat/widened striking surface on hammers, are there any other things
I should investigate while at the piano next week? >>

  Greetings, 
    I had to restring the top half of a pair of Steinway B's at Vanderbilt 
because of breakage problems. The capo bars were OK, the hammers were not too 
flat.   
   I ascribed it to heavy play.  
   I didn't repin, I just backed all pins out 1/2 turn, removed the coils, 
and wound new coils on a dummy pin.  After having everybody back up to near 
pitch, I then tapped the pins down to their minimum plate/coil clearance.  It 
has been over 7 years now and so far, so good. 
Regards, 
Ed Foote RPT