First, it seems that there is some variation as to the mechanics of string making (apart from any differences in materials). Tension on core and winding, initial twisting of core, roughing of core, shape of core, etc. Ed says that whatever distortion is to take place in string will happen immediately, and not progressively over time. On the other hand, Andrew Anderson's statement suggests the opposite: >The indication regarding shelf life involves winding the strings under >tension. That way the windings don't become loose when the string is >brought back up to tension. A least one maker I'm aware of recommends >getting them up to tension ASAP on arrival. I suppose strings could be >hung strait with weights attached or some sort of wrack made with hitch >pins on one end and tuning pins in a block on the other end. Most custom >strings come with enough excess to allow that. This seems to imply that there is some progressive movement of the tensioned core in relation to the windings which, if allowed to reach some equilibrium, would cause the coils to become loose when the string is ultimately installed. This strikes me as unlikely. The benefit from "pre-stretching" might simply lie in insuring the immediate stability of an installed string. Would there be consensus among string makers about these basic mechanics? Perhaps we can gather some responses from them. David Skolnik At 06:37 PM 10/8/2005 -0400, you wrote: ><< If anyone knows a reason why bass strings would, in fact, have a shelf >life, if handled as indicated above, I'd like to know. >> > >I have a set of D strings that I bought in 1982. They are kept in a sealed >container, straight. The last one I used was last year,and it sounded like a >new string when I brought it up to pitch. > I don't think it matters whether you store them unwound or not, the >plastic deformation limits of the copper/steel are instantaneous, I >think. Once >you have wound these strings in a loop, whatever shifts or movements in the >winding are there. >Regards, > >Ed Foote RPT >http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html >www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html > >_______________________________________________ >caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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