[pianotech] Strings made to measure

[David Love]

Differences in sound characteristics probably have more to do with scale
changes that frequently get made more than manufacturing differences.  Both
Arledge and JD Grandt have their own scales that they prefer (as does GC who
many people use).  Mapes will use manufacturers scales (if they have them),
and, as Ron mentioned, doesn't get bogged down in the details of things like
calculated elongation to produce a predictable bare wire segment.  Since I'm
producing my own scales I prefer to work with John at JD Grandt who does
very accurate work and is also fast and a pleasure to work with.  With the
US dollar tanking against the Canadian dollar lately they've gotten a bit
more expensive but for me it's worth it for the consistency in quality.
Like Ron I provide hitch to bridge pin and hitch to agraffe measurements
along with outer wrap and inner core diameters as well as speaking lengths
(though that is evident from the other two length dimensions).  Along with
that I specify 25 mm from the end of the winding to the terminations after
elongation and also provide hitch pin diameters.   

Single string replacements need to be accurately measured (sometimes easier
said than done) and it's often not a bad idea to order both strings in a
bichord especially if they are older strings where timbre matching is more
difficult.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Denise Rachel
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 2:56 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Strings made to measure

Hi Mike,

This is an issue I am still grappling with.  Very frustrating!   
Judging by all the mismatched replacements I've seen in pianos, other  
techs regularly have the same problem.  Ten or fifteen years ago, I  
made such a nuisance of myself trying to get accurate duplicates, that  
Mapes refused to sell to me.  I have spoken to other string makers  
asking the pertinent questions, but have not been satisfied with the  
replies.  The seemingly universal inability to duplicate wires, even  
when the sample is sent in, remains a mystery.

When ordering full sets, I use JG Grandt or Isaacs, both in Canada.   
Very accurate work.  The strings have quite different sound  
characteristics.

When ordering replacements for a your everyday typical home piano, I  
replace all or both wires of the unison to get compatibility.  This  
ongoing challenge has forced me to develop super splicing techniques!

I'll be looking forward to all the posts on this one . . .

D