Beginner Student and String Breakage

[Greg Newell]

Laura,
    Send for the Center Pin Lube. I'm not sure of the consistency of VJ lube but
I think it's too thick. It should be like water. I typically apply it with a
syringe or similar tool. I apply it at all points where the string makes contact
with anything else. I may not apply in every contact area though, it depends on
whether the strings are rusty or not.
    I suggest that you do not tap the string but rather tap the pin. If you tap
the strings down onto the bridge you will be "denting" the top of the bridge and
causing more problems that further tapping will not solve. Instead, tap the pin
and the string will gently go down to the bridge top with the pin. Wood has a
way of expelling things through many humidity fluctuations. Ever see a nail head
protruding from a piece of wood when you know it was driven all the way in
originally? I've even seen this happen with tuning pins. Some are so high out of
the block that they just couldn't have gotten there any other way.
    Hope this helps.

Greg


Van Der Rhoer wrote:

> Thank you all for your helpful suggestions and encouragement!  I will try to
> learn as soon as possible how to replace strings (though I may have to send
> to the U.S. for wire, not knowing who to contact here in Germany).
>
> Possibly I was on the wrong pin, but I think not, as I was being pretty
> careful checking each time.  But I will watch that all the more carefully in
> future!
>
> Thank you Greg Newell for your tip to use a lubricant -- would McCall's VJ
> Lube do?  It came with the course.  Otherwise I will order Protek's Center
> Pin Lubricant as you mentioned.  Is it applied with a small paint brush or
> something else?  Also, I will follow your advice on checking whether the
> string has ridden up with the bridge pin.  (The note really sounded
> peculiar, as if it were loose or out of control, no matter which way I
> turned.  It kept reverberating as well, as if the sustain pedal were on).
> There is an illustration of what I think you were describing in Reblitz's
> "Piano Servicing, Tuning, and Rebuilding" Chapter Four p. 116 -- "gently
> tapping string down to bridge".  Should I be tapping the string or the
> bridge pins?
>
> I appreciate being able to ask some questions from time to time, I think it
> will really help.
>
> Thank you Charles Neuman for your suggestion to write Randy Potter as well.
> I thought he'd be overburdened perhaps.
>
> Many thanks to all again!
>
> Laura

--
Greg Newell
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net