[pianotech] new sting broke twice

[Dean May]

Since this comes after epoxying the bridge I would suggest that you also
take a look at the bridge. Has the apron slipped to make the string length
longer? Also, look at the front termination point of the string. Is it
actually resting on the bridge at the front pin, or is there something
causing it to be lifted off the bridge at that point so that it isn't
contacting the bridge at all, or perhaps the contact is at the rear pin. 

I have had this trouble at C8 on a couple of pianos but never on the bass
bridge. For whatever reason, probably collapsed crown, the bridge was pulled
away at the front termination.

Dean

Dean W May (812) 235-5272 voice and text

PianoRebuilders.com (888) DEAN-MAY

Terre Haute IN 47802

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Joseph Garrett
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 8:47 PM
To: pianotech
Subject: Re: [pianotech] new sting broke twice

Mr. Frere said: "I epoxied a bridge for an Acrosonic #293752. String #33
was broken (the
right string of G#2). I don't remember at this point if I had the broken
string to measure, or if I ordered based on the left string specs. Ordered
string from Schaff. It broke above the V-bar while bringing it up to pitch.
I could feel too much tension before it was even a semitone away. Sure
enough it snapped before it reached pitch. I spliced it - snapped again.
 
Schaff was kind enough to replace it at no charge. I figured it was a flawed
string. Again, the same exact feeling and pop. Right at the point the string
begins to coil on the pin. I could feel it coming. Probably should have
looked more closely before popping it. The string was straight, which tells
me it wasn't catching on anything. I can't imagine why the epoxied bridge
cracks should effect it. I have installed dozens of strings, and don't feel
like I did anything wrong. Could it be a whole batch of string is flawed?
 
Today I measured the left string, and it did read .001" smaller core
diameter and .002" smaller copper diameter. The length of the winding looked
good. I didn't think this is significant enough to break a string, but I'm
not sure. (It is significant enough to give a poor unison though.) I tested
the strings adjacent, lowering pitch and re-raising to see how tight they
feel - they felt normal.
 
I'm thinking of ordering from a different company, being super careful while
replacing, and seeing what happens. If it works normally, I could call
Schaff and ask for a refund. If they refuse, no big deal. However, if this
new string breaks even after being *super* careful, then I'm at a loss. I
will order based on the left string measurements, naturally.
 
Has this happened to any of you?