<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; =
-khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi Chris,<DIV> My =
preference for tying tails is to attach my dowel with a cup hook in the =
end to a solid surface (I use a spring clamp to attach it to the metal =
tool case I keep my wire in). Then I use both hands to wind the tail. =
It's a matter of holding tight to the wire, maintaining tension, =
maintaining a 90 degree angle between the two ends. Start with the wire =
crossed in the correct direction to match existing coils (clock-wise or =
counter - it's just for aesthetics). Make one twist: hands rotate a full =
turn around one another, then let go with one hand and reach around and =
grab the same end (maybe use a finger of the other hand to keep that end =
in place). Repeat the process for four twists (or however many the =
harpsichord has on average). Finish off by holding the main wire taut =
and making cylindrical loops around it - this mostly for looks. This =
takes some finesse to keep it neat, especially getting the first one =
neat. I find this gives me the best control of the twists, and I've =
become quite fast at it. It is the technique I have used to string a =
number of harpsichords, as well as replace countless broken strings. =
(The other method - where one end of the wire is clamped to a table or =
whatever, the other held taut with fingers of hand or pliers, and the =
second hand twists the hook between those two points - works well also. =
A matter of preference and of what results you are satisfied =
with).<BR><DIV> <SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse:=
separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: =
Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; =
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white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><SPAN =
class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; =
border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; =
font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: =
normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; =
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"><DIV>Regards,</DIV><DIV>Fred Sturm</DIV><DIV>University of New =
Mexico</DIV><DIV><A =
href="mailto:fssturm@unm.edu">fssturm@unm.edu</A></DIV><DIV><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>PS Just remembered I wrote =
about this in more detail a couple years ago, and actually found the =
post:</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> On the assumption you are =
matching double helix loops with a coil finish (the</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">most common, looks like bass string hitch =
loops):</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">1) You need a fixed substitute =
for the hitch pin. A large cup hook mounted to the</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">edge of a table works. Or a headless nail held in a =
vice. Whatever it is, it needs</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">to be =
positioned so that there are no obstructions in front of it (to allow =
free</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">movement of your hands). It =
should be of a large enough diameter so that the loop</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">formed can easily fit over the hitch pin later. (I =
mostly use a cup hook screwed</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">into the end =
of a dowel. I attach this with a spring clamp to the edge of my =
cheap,</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">metal harpsichord tool/supply =
case, or to the front edge of the harpsichord - if the finish isn't too =
fancy).</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">2) Pull the wire around the =
dummy pin, so that it goes completely around and</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">crosses at a right angle. You need enough "waste =
length" to get a good grip. 6 to</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">10 inches =
should suffice. Hold the wire in that position with one hand - the =
hand</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">that you will use throughout to =
hold the speaking length. You will need to have</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">decided whether the waste length goes over or under =
based on the direction you want</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">to the coils =
to go (look at one of the loops you are matching).</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">3) Take the hand that is not holding the wire, and =
place it over or under the other</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">hand =
(depending whether the waste length is over or under the speaking =
length) and</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">grab the waste length. Holding =
the wire taut with both hands, and so that the</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">string forms a right angle where it meets, rotate =
both arms in a full circle around</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">one another =
(easier to show than describe this sort of thing), keeping the =
wire</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">taut and at right angle at all =
times, so that it actually makes clear and sharp</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">bends/coils around itself (each bends around the =
other). If you have been</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">successful, =
you should be able to let go with one hand, and the wire will =
pretty</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">much stay put.</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">4) Repeat the above as many times as needed to =
create the number of coils desired.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Steady, even =
movement, with wire held taut at all times, and maintaining the =
90</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; ">degree angle between wire ends, will allow for =
even, neat appearance.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">5) For the finish coil, =
hold the speaking length of the wire taut with one hand,</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">pulling straight toward yourself. With the other =
hand, pull the waste length of</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">wire neatly =
around the speaking length. It is essential that the wire be held =
taut</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">at all times, and a bit of =
finesse is needed to start the coil evenly. Again, the</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">waste length hand lets go, and is moved around the =
speaking length hand to grab the</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">waste length =
again. And you make as many tight, even coils as needed to match =
the</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">original.</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">6) Cut the wire, leaving a short segment (match =
originals), which will rest on the</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">hitch pin =
rail to help assure the coils don't unwind. It is necessary to plan =
so</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; ">that the final direction of that bit of waste =
length is under the speaking length.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> A =
caution - don't overdo tightness of coils. If they are too tight, you =
will</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">have tail breakage. But if they =
are not tight enough, they'll want to unwind. You</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">have to use good judgment here.</DIV><DIV><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><BR =
class="Apple-interchange-newline"></SPAN></SPAN> =
</DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On Dec 13, 2005, at 8:03 AM, Christopher Purdy =
wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE =
type="cite"><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Helvetica" =
size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">Has anyone been in contact =
with Willard Martin?<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>I =
have been trying to get in touch with him for weeks.<SPAN =
class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Our two Martin harpsichords =
need parts and my stock is getting thin.</FONT></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; =
min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT =
face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">If not =
Willard, can anyone suggest another supplier for strings and =
plectra?<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>I don't mind =
making my own string replacements but it sure has been convenient to =
have them pre cut and the hitch pin coil ready to go.<SPAN =
class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Who makes their own hitch pin =
coils?<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>Do you use a =
piano string coil maker or something else?</FONT></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; =
min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT =
face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">Also, =
while I'm on a roll, I'm thinking about restringing our french double in =
the recital hall.<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>It has =
been very reliable for the first fifteen years I have been here but this =
last couple of years it seems to have gone into a slump.<SPAN =
class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>I often get a broken string =
during tuning now where before it was very rare.<SPAN =
class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>I am also wanting to replace =
all the pluckers.<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>I have =
a faculty member practicing in here daily now and these dudes are =
breaking all over the place.<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> =
</SPAN>At this rate, it will have all new plectra soon =
anyway...</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: =
12.0px Helvetica">Thanks for your input,</FONT></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: =
12.0px Helvetica">Chris</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal =
normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3" =
style="font: 12.0px Lucida Calligraphy">Christopher D. Purdy =
R.P.T.</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Lucida =
Calligraphy" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Lucida Calligraphy">School =
of Music, Ohio University</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT =
face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Lucida =
Calligraphy">Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall</FONT></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3" =
style="font: 12.0px Lucida Calligraphy">Athens, OH<SPAN =
class="Apple-converted-space"> </SPAN>45701</FONT></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3" =
style="font: 12.0px Lucida Calligraphy">Office (740) =
593-1656</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT face="Lucida =
Calligraphy" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Lucida =
Calligraphy">Cell<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> =
</SPAN>(740) 590-3842</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT =
face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Lucida =
Calligraphy">fax<SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> =
</SPAN>(740) 593-1429</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><FONT =
face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica"><A =
href="http://www.ohiou.edu/music">http://www.ohiou.edu/music</A></FONT><=
/DIV> <BR =
class="Apple-interchange-newline"></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></BODY></=
HTML>=