Harpsichord Coils with no becket hole

[Michael Jorgensen]

THANK YOU CONRAD!!!
      You saved me from utter despair!     Your post will be saved forever!
-Mike Jorgensen

Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:

> At 13:20 02/09/2000 +0000, you wrote:
> >Hello Friends,
> >     I forgot again!  How does one make those string coils for the
> >tapered tuning pins with no becket hole?  I learned this twice but never
> >remember when the awful event happens as i don't do it often enough.
> >
> >thanks in advance,
> >-Mike
>
> Easier to show in person, but...
>
> I assume you already have the other end on the hitchpin and the string is
> cut to your favourite length.
>
> Make a loose "becket" about 25mm in length. Place leg of becket along the
> pin with the kink at the top of where you want your windings to start.
> While holding pin & wire in left hand , put tuning pin into tuning
> hammer/wrench and start winding the string down over the becket part. (i.e.
> cross over immediately on first turn)    After a few turns you should be
> able to put enough tension on the string to just be able to twirl the
> winding on without holding your thumb on the becket tail. Keep your coils
> neat and tight at least at the top.  Lower down you may want to spread them
> out to adjust the downbearing.
>
> When you have wound it so that the pin is over the hole, (or earlier if you
> wish) work the excess tail until it breaks off , and while keeping pin in
> tuning wrench and keeping tension just push it in the hole.  As you are
> lowering it, you can feed string past jacks and dampers and place on the
> proper side of the nut pin.   Push firmly enough to hold it until you
> immediately tap it in tighter.
>
> Check to see that string is still in proper position on bridge. If not,
> there is not enough tension on it to keep you from moving it to the right
> place with your fingers.  (and remember the backpinning)
>
> Start bringing it up to pitch.  You will probably have to retap the pin a
> couple times before it's at pitch.
>
> Clear as mud?
>
> Good luck!!
>
> Conrad
>
> Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician -mailto:hoffsoco@luther.edu
> Luther College                  -(319)-387-1204
> Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
>
> The man that hath no music in himself,
> Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
> Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
> The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
> And his affections dark as Erebus.
> Let no such man be trusted.
> ---Wm. Shakespeare - Merchant of Venice