Elementary String Leveling Questions

[Don Mannino]

List,

>>I also sat in on Mr. Davies class on string levelling. I guess what
fascinated me most was his method of checking for level strings . He
placed a narrow strip of brass on its end on the three strings and
plucked the strings to see if each one vibrated against the squared end
of the brass.<<

Another variation on this method is one used by some of the Kawai concert technicians (and I understand in the Faziola factory as well) using a metal tool the width of a unison, with a small bubble level on top. I made mine using a piece of 5/16" x 1/4" aluminum U-channel (Columbia #107CS) and a Stanley #42-182 utility level. The U-channel has to be notched and bent at the end so that the flat side is centered under the tool (think about it - it will come to you), then file the top to mate with the bubble level.

The bubble level can be popped out of the plastic Stanley tool and glued to the aluminum. Everything has to be filed very smooth and flat so that the tool can be stood on the strings, and so that the level is really level!

The method is to first level the piano with the tool on the stretcher (shims under the casters level the piano), then you can safely do the final string leveling using the bubble tool, plucking the strings to check for low strings. This is a slow and finicky way to level the strings, but once they are done you can concentrate on the hammers and forget the strings.

Don Mannino RPT