[CAUT] breaking strings, Kawai KG-2A (1997)

[Geoffrey Pollard]

Hello Jim,

I would try to get a good handle on front duplex to capo string angles as part of information gathering during rescaling. It is not unknown for this angle to be excessive in Kawai piano trebles at times. If the angles are OK (11 - 20 degrees - perhaps using Ron N's device shown in his 9/11/06 post on this list) - then wire fatigue, hard hammers, flat hammers, scaling anomalies, capo profile, string cushion friction (in no particular order) are some likely culprits in my view.

Regards,
Geoffrey Pollard


-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org on behalf of Jim Busby
Sent: Tue 11/21/2006 12:20 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] breaking strings, Kawai KG-2A (1997)
 
List,

 

We have four KG-2As that now break strings regularly (weekly) in octaves
5-7. The bass is also becoming "thumpy". Granted, they are very heavily
used (Up to 17 hours a day), but we try to keep them voiced and
regulated so I don't believe maintenance is the issue; I think the
strings are simply fatigued. (I can break strings myself with 20 - 30
good solid blows.) I tried decreasing the blow to give a bit less power
hoping that it would diminish the breakage, and that helps somewhat, but
I don't like to sabotage piano performance just so I can work less...
BTW, the strings break mainly at the v-bar.

 

I will be restringing these pianos next month (I've HAD IT with them...)
so does anyone have any advice concerning the scaling, etc.? I will be
dressing the V-bar and doing all the usual prepping. This is a high
tension scale and I'd love to redesign it but don't want to put that
kind of time and money into these...

 

Any helps out there???

 

Thanks.

 

Jim Busby BYU







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