mic strings first

[Carl W. Meyer]

Ric:  I'm rebuilding a Steinway K52 upright.  I miced the strings as I
removed them and plotted the scale on PSCALE.  I then plotted the scale
printed on the plate.  They weren't the same.  I don't think it was
restrung.  Then I rescaled to my liking and got a third plot.  I gave it my
usual modification at the bass break and used wound bichords instead of
plain trichords for the first few notes.  The tension/inharmonicity curve
improved a lot.

A small grand as you describe could benefit from a rescaling.  I'd never
replace even a set of bass strings without running the scale thru the
computer.  I'd like to know what it looks like.  Assuming the manufacturer
knew what he was doing is a mistake.  As Del Fandrich says "convential
wisdom is an idiot".  E-mail me privately or call me at 408/984-0482 with
your address and I'll mail you the printouts of the three scales.  This
would be for your information regarding Pscale.  

Regards

Carl Meyer 

> [Original Message]
> From: <Rickeys88@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 9/18/00 6:24:51 PM
> Subject: mic strings first
>
> Hello List,
> 
> I de-strung a Knabe 5'1" "grand" last weekend but I did so in haste.  I 
> assumed too much when I saw string gauge markings on the plate.   Now
that 
> the strings are long gone and I can't mic them, I've got a problem.   I'm 
> looking at the tuning pin holes for note #88 and there is no size mark.   
> Size14  starts at 9 notes left of the treble end.  I assume I'm  missing
the 
> size mark for that end group of 8.  Or is it possible that its marked 
> starting from the left and the last group of 9 notes would be size 14 ?  
If 
> I had to go it alone I would guess that the end 4 notes would be size 13
then 
> the next 4 to the left would be 13.5 and then on to 14.  
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Ric Forcier
> NJ



--- Carl W. Meyer, Santa Clara, Ca.
--- cmpiano@earthlink.net