newbie question: stocking strings

[Christopher D. Purdy]

Charles,

I believe that it is important to stock all sizes of treble wire. 
This is important for several reasons.  When replacing a treble 
string, you absolutely must use the same size wire as the other 
string (s) in that unison.  Unequal sizes will cause all sorts of 
problems, mostly, it will sound bad.  Just as you have to level 
strings so that a hammer strikes all strings simultaneously, uneven 
strings will sound buzzy and have false beats.  I think it would be 
worse to do a poor job of string replacement than it is to not 
replace the string at all.  Even on poor pianos.  If you are going to 
spend the time threading underneath bass strings, making the correct 
tuning pin coil, and charging for your time, why not do the job 
right?  A poor job will sound bad to the customer and future tuners 
will have to deal with it as well.

If you order small amounts of wire, I don't think you will find the 
cost too high.  If you have to spread the purchase over a couple of 
orders, get the smaller sizes first.  You are more likely to have 
higher strings break, on average.  You will also need to consider how 
you will store the strings.  You can't just keep them in a bag in the 
trunk.  They will start to rust almost immediately.

I keep my string stock at the shop.  I have a treble wire break 
rarely enough that it is not a big deal to schedule a second trip.

Hope this helps,
Chris



>I don't want to be one of those guys who doesn't fix broken strings. But
>where do you start, in terms of stocking treble strings? Should I really
>have every size (that's quite a big initial investment), or are there
>common sizes I should start with?
>
>Also, how bad is it to be about .003" off? That is, if I stocked sizes
>that are .005" apart, then I'd be plus or minus .0025" at most. I'm
>expecting some negative responses to that, but I like to hear them. I
>assume levelling is an issue, not to mention tone and tension. But for a
>cheap piano, does it matter really?
>
>Charles Neuman
>Long Island
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives


-- 
Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.
School of Music, Ohio University
Athens, Ohio  45701
(740) 593-1656
fax (740) 593-1429
purdy@ohiou.edu