re-repinning

[Fred S. Sturm]

    A couple additional thoughts:
1) There is no law saying you have to replace tuning pins when
re-stringing. If the current pins have good torque, I re-use them.
Remove strings, leaving pins in place (backed out a full turn). Make
coils in new strings on a dummy pin and transfer - just like replacing a
broken string. I find this procedure takes somewhat less time than
removing pins and restringing with new pins. I do it all the time in the
university setting (most commonly just the capo sections, but often
enough the whole piano).
2) Remember that Larudee pins (oversized, but with 2/0 or 1/0 top/becket
segments) are available in between sizes: 3.5/0, 4/0, 4.5/0. This gives
additional flexibility. Available from Pianotek. A great idea. I often
find 3/0 is too loose, but 4/0 requires more drilling/reaming than I
really want to do.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico