splicing bass strings

[Tony Caught]

Keith,

I think Terry is saying that you may have a problem if you

1. Strip too much of the string and the winding looses its grip on the
flattened core wire.
2. If you bend the flattened core wire in the wrong direction it may break.
3. It can be tight doing this on a bi chord, gets a bit tricky twisting the
splice sideways for clearance sometimes.
4. If the copper wire is thick and you try peeling it of, it can loosen its
grip around the swag (flattened bit).

I know that in some new pianos the string is swagged for 1/2" with 1/4" gap
then another 1/2" swag.  Most older pianos seem to be about 3/4" swag but I
have seen 1/2" swag only.
Then, in China the swag is often not flattened enough and strings will
unwind if but slightly touched in this area.
Of course the hexcore bass strings are not swagged so this is OK, go for it.

However, Terry may be thinking of something else.

I do it because it takes too long to get replacements etc, then they go out
of tune too fast.

Regards

Tony Caught ICPTG
Australia
caute@optusnet.com.au

----- Original Message -----
From: <kam544@flash.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: splicing bass strings


> >...you should have no trouble splicing in the speaking length - just
> >don't go peeling copper windings off to make room!
> >Terry Farrell
>
> Terry, List,
>
> Why do you suggest this?
>
> The reason for my question is I have had occasion to do this numerous
times
> in the past with no apparent ill effect.
>
> Keith McGavern
> Registered Piano Technician
> Oklahoma Chapter 731
> Piano Technicians Guild
> USA
>
>