<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">I think the question that first needs to be asked is why do you need to tap the strings.  The assumption is that the strings ride up on the bridge pins.  Assuming positive bearing and proper bridge pin angles with a bridge and pins in pristine condition that is not likely.  The reason tapping down seems to make a difference, however, is important to examine.   Over time, the strings cut into the bridge pins creating a small indentation or notch in the side of the pin that the string tends to want to ride in.  At the same time, compression on the bridge top (exacerbated by tapping down on the strings) lowers the contact point on the bridge.  Unseating on the bridge top tends to occur when the contact point on the bridge top is lower than the indentation in the side of the pin.  Therefore, you are much better off tapping down the bridge pin than the string.  Tapping down the string will, at best, be a temporary measure.  At worst, it can create a further disconnect as the contact point on the bridge top is lowered due to further compression of the bridge top.  Tapping down the bridge pin will at least lower the indentation so that it more closely coincides with the existing level of the bridge top.  Furthermore, false beats are usually a product of loose bridge pins and a flagpolling of the pin which creates an oscillation.  Tapping down the pins and keeping the sting-pin contact point closer to the bridge top will help this problem.  Better would be to treat the loose pin with a few drops of thin CA glue.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>David Love</DIV> <DIV><A href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.net</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=Wimblees@aol.com href="mailto:Wimblees@aol.com"></A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=caut@ptg.org href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 3/31/2004 9:31:21 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Strings riding up (was Tuning stability)</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 3/31/2004 10:04:57 PM Central Standard Time, Tunapianer@aol.com writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>Is the termination seriously compromised or disturbed when the strings are <BR>allowed to ride up on the bridge pins?  Aside from the obvious weakened tone and <BR>potential false beats, are there long-term effects?  What if you never tap <BR>them down?  How often to tap?  Sure messes up stability...<BR><BR>Greg Soule<BR>Pensacola, FL</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV>Tapping strings should be done on an as needed basis. If you don't tap the strings, it will, as you point out, create false beats, and it weakens the tone. So why would you not tap the strings? As long as you use a brass rod of some sort on the strings, I don't think you're going to compromise the strings. Not only do I use a brass rod, I use a soft face hammer because I think It reduces the impact of the rod on the string. However, I was taught to always tap the strings on the bridge, not in front of the bridge. This reduces the notching of the bridge. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Wim </DIV> <DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Willem Blees, RPT<BR>Piano Technician<BR>School of Music<BR>University of Alabama</FONT></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>