wire coming out of beckett

[Ron Nossaman]

>In the situation that you describe, it would be my thought, though not 
>liking the idea, to let the wire stick through the tuning pin about 1/4" 
>so that the wire could be bent over ala cheep spinets from the 60s. I do 
>not like the double bend as it makes replacing a broken string much 
>harder. But if the old pin is holding fine why replace it when this repair 
>will let it hold the new string?
>
>Joe Goss

I use that double bend in every string I replace as a field repair. There 
are a couple of reasons. One is insuring the becket doesn't pull out when I 
crank it up to pitch. They don't - ever, no matter what shape the pin is 
in. Another is that I find it easier to manage the coil during 
installation, and insure it's tight after. At least as important to me as 
any other reason is that it offers an undeniable visual indication of what 
string or strings I have replaced over time. This is useful in the long run 
as evidence of overall string condition when we once again talk about 
rebuilding. When I, and they, can count a dozen obvious string replacements 
without bending over the piano, it makes a point. It is also invaluable 
when, not if, I get the call saying that string I replaced last week broke 
again. I can go out and point to the one I replaced (with the extra bend), 
right next to the freshly broken one (without), and leave no doubt that 
this is a brand new self-contained service call with it's own accompanying 
fee. End of discussion. While I have had people argue with me that a rusty 
old broken string was the one I installed last time (before I started doing 
the bent over end), I haven't yet run into anyone idiot enough to insist 
that the little bend on the end of the wire (that I can show them on the 
string(s) I DID replace), spontaneously evaporated from that dull broken 
string. There's still time, and I haven't met everyone yet, but so far so good.

Ron N