Restringing just the bass

[Gregory Torres]

Dale,
Just replace the whole set. You don't have to let the tension down on the whole
piano. I think Schaff or Mapes has most of the scales already but call them 1st.
You may be able to get them from Kawai as well, but I can almost bet that they
would be a little more expensive. But on the other hand, you have five fingers
also. (sorry, couldn't resist!!)   ;-)

Regards,
Greg Torres

DaleP34429@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 6/10/98 10:58:09 AM EST, jgrassi@silverlink.net writes:
>
> <<
>  Unfortunately I have a client who had something spilled on the bass strings
>  of her 10 yr. old Kawai GS-40.  Now about 2/3 of the strings are ruined.
>  Which brings up a couple of questions for me in replacing them.
>  1)  Since the piano is only 10 yrs. old, would it still be a good idea to
>  replace them all so there will be no noticeable difference between the new
>  and the old? I've only replaced bass strings on old pianos and the
>  difference would have been obvious.
>  2) Should tension be let down on the whole piano to replace so many bass
>  strings?  Is there a preferred way of doing this?
>  3.)  How many follow up visits should I expect to make before these new
>  strings will be stable again?  In the past, I've done this on pianos in the
>  shop and didn't have to worry about additional trips to the customer who was
>  trying to play on the piano every day.
>
>  Thanks to you all in advance.  Any suggestions a/o comments are greatly
>  appreciated.
>
>  Jeannie Grassi, RPT
>  jgrassi@silverlink.net
>  Bainbridge Island, WA
>
>   >>
> Hi Jeannie,
>
> 1)I had a fifteen year old KG7 that had the "real thing" (Classic Coke)
> spilled on a section of about ten strings. I replaced the ones directly
> affected and they blended with the existing strings pretty well. In your case
> with so many ruined it may be physically easier to replace the set but I don't
> think blending will be a problem. I would just replace the ones that are
> ruined.
> 2) I would not worry about letting the tension down on the rest of the piano.
> If you are worried about the tension thing, just replace a few at a time. It
> will save time stabilizing the piano later.
> 3) This is hard to answer, it depends on the customer to some degree and how
> sensitive they are to the bass being out of tune. I would suggest seating the
> strings at the hitch pins, coils, and termination points really thoroughly,
> then tuning them and pounding them firmly as possible. I would suggest at
> least three return trips and be prepared for six or even nine, again depending
> on the customer.
>
> Best,
>
> Dale Probst
> Registered Piano Technician
> Ward & Probst, Inc.
> Piano & Organ Service
> Wichita Falls, TX