Baldwin 7' bass string breakage

[PAT A RALPH]

Jim,

In the piano I had the strings break at the low bridge end, was a Baldwin
"R"
(5'8") manufactured in 1991.

Ken Gerler

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Coleman, Sr. <pianotoo@imap2.asu.edu>
To: <KENNETH.GERLER@prodigy.net>
Cc: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 7:04 PM
Subject: Baldwin 7' bass string breakage


> Hi Kenneth:
>
> Now that you have explained where the strings are breaking, I may have
> a reason for this. In the early days of production of this piano, it was
> discovered that the smaller core Bass Strings would unravel at the loop
> end. We used to treat the twisted portion of the string loops with an
> abrasive (light gray solution) to keep the twisted portion from moving
> under tension. Did you notice any coloring on the other good strings?
>
> It may be that since the early days someone decided that the abrasive
> way no longer needed. I think it is still needed unless they have
> changed the stringing scale since the 70's. At that time all of the two
> string unisons were using .039" diam. core wire if I'm not mistaken.
>
> In those days, we did not attribute that kind of breakage to heavy
> pounding, but to work hardening as the wire moved around the hitch pins.
>
> Jim Coleman, Sr.
>