Failed string splicing -- charge for time?

[John Formsma]

What do you do when you attempt a string splice and it fails upon raising it
to pitch? Do you charge for your time generally? And specifically, what
would you do in the scenario described below?

The piano was a Yamaha P22.  The first wound string in the tenor (D#3) broke
during the tuning. Piano will be used in the next few days for a Music
Festival of some sort.  As I was weighing string splicing versus string
replacement in this circumstance, I considered the following:


   1. The piano is about 55 miles away-- too far to return just to retune
   the one string, and not in my normal route where I could stop by after a day
   of work.
   2. I have universals, but didn't want to use one in this (nicer)
   piano. I was also concerned about string stabilization -- would rather do a
   splice when possible (particularly in this instance since it will be used in
   the next few days).
   3. Since the broken string was the first wound string in the tenor, I
   did not see a safe way to mute that string if it were replaced, since any
   arrangement of double muting (or whatever) might result in the mute falling
   into the action.
   4. Therefore, it seemed that the best option (for the customer as well
   as me) was to splice because it would be the quickest to stabilize. Whatever
   pitch drop that occurred after all attempts at stabilization would have to
   be endured, since it was so far away, but at least a splice would drop less
   than a new string.


When I raised the spliced string to pitch, everything was looking great. The
splice held, I squeezed the coil (to death) with vice grips, and pounded on
the string for about two minutes. trying to stabilize things as much as
possible. The core wire was 0.037", and the first splice attempt was using a
0.038" leader.  Finished the tuning, and was doing some last-minute
stabilization right before leaving. Bam!  The splice breaks just above the
knot on the leader wire -- and I was less than two beats above where the
pitch was supposed to be.  Grrrr!

Second attempt. I was thinking, Well, maybe the tension was too high at that
point for the slightly larger wire. So I tried again with 0.037" core wire.
It was looking good at first, got up to pitch initially, then I lowered the
pitch to tighten up the coils slightly. Upon raising pitch again, it broke
too -- at the same place, right above the knot.

The only other option now obviously is to replace the string, which means
two trips if the string is to be retuned. In this instance, I felt justified
in the string splicing attempts.  Nevertheless, I felt bad about charging
the customer for my time when both attempts failed. So I didn't charge for
any time. Generally, my splices hold.  So I don't think that technique is
the problem.  However, I never rule me out of the equation. <G>

What would you have done in this instance?

I am looking forward to being further enlightened. :-)   All tricks and tips
would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

-- 
JF
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