iron wound strings

[Pianoman]

I have found that iron wound strings from the 20's or so had a much more 
biting tone than copper.
James
James Grebe   Piano Tuning & Repair   Member of Master Piano Technicians.
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William R. Monroe" <pianotech at a440piano.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: iron wound strings


OK,

Thanks for the input everyone.  It seems there isn't much compelling reason 
to NOT use Iron wound strings should the client really want that.  Just 
different tonally than copper wound strings.  Ron N, Ron O, David A, Dale E, 
any input?

Client says he really likes the tone of this old grand (probably original 
hammers, and beat up action to boot).  It's always fun to educate on what 
the results of a restringing will be, i.e., "Yes, it will change the sound 
of the piano, 'course, we could replace the hammers too.  And shanks. 
And..............."

Should be a good opportunity

William R. Monroe

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: vince mrykalo
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 8:39 PM
  Subject: SV: iron wound strings


  Everything I've read about iron wound strings suggest that the sound was 
slightly better than copper, a little more body.  The drawback was that they 
went "dead" more quickly.  And of course the salesmen  touted copper 
windings as being tonally superior, regardless whether they were or not.

  pianotech-request at ptg.org wrote:

    William,
    Gregor Heller will surely make any basstrings you want
    www.hellerbass.de
    I once learned from an old factory chief that when iron wound string 
became dumb you should just take down the tension to about zero and then 
tune them up again.
    It actually worked on a piano I tuned.
    Aras

    "William R. Monroe" <pianotech at a440piano.net> skrev:
      Hi folks,

      How about iron wound strings? I've a client with a rather old Baldwin 
that
      has iron wound strings, in need of a new pinblock/strings, etc. The 
client
      is interested in keeping the strings iron wound and I've never 
replaced
      irons wound with copper wound. Are there pitfalls to be aware of? What
      kind of tonal difference would one expect if we were comparing new 
iron to
      new copper? I'd also be interested in arguments in favor of and 
against
      keeping them iron.

      Many thanks,
      William R. Monroe








  Vince Mrykalo RPT MPT
  University of Utah

  "Minél több a változás, annál nagyobb az állandoság"

  The more I learn, the less I know.

  www.mrykalopiano.com


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