splicing bass strings

[BH]

Stephen

Why go to all that bother!  Instead, send the two broken strings off to a
good string maker and get some proper replacements made.  They shouldn't be
too costly.   If you must repair the old ones, you can successfully splice
them, even between the tuning pin and the agraffe.  Allow for stretch.  You
may have to invert the string in some cases.  I've seen some very neat and
successful splices done - and yes, even occasionally on the speaking length
without adversely affecting the tone.  Most of these were probably done by
some tech. in a remote area, way back when materials were rare and times
were tough.  Splicing piano wire is not easy!  As I say, get some proper
replacements made.

Brian Holden, New Zealand


----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Airy <stephen_airy@yahoo.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 11:08 AM
Subject: splicing bass strings


> I have two broken strings in my Ricca & Son piano --
> my question is what would be the effects of having the
> splice in the speaking length on one of them  (the
> highest note on the bass bridge) ?
>
> At the other end of the bass bridge, my low A broke at
> the tuning pin.  There is not much room between the
> string and the plate for part of the distance after
> the string termination point.  What's your
> recommendation here?
>
> I am a pianist that uses all 88 notes and even that is
> sometimes not enough  (but unfortunately I cannot
> afford a Bosendorfer Imperial at this time), and only
> having 87 (low A doesn't play thanks to a broken
> string) is a bit of a pain.  :)
>
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