<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <title>rescale bass strings</title> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> John D is correct in identifying what information you will need to provide as well as trying to identify what you don’t like.  Typically, small grand problems fall into two areas: the transition from tenor to bass and the quality of the low bass itself.  Problems can also exist with the bass being out of balance with the rest of the piano.  New bass strings can only solve the problems from one end as the problems are often multifaceted.  The transition problem is likely a result of the low tenor plain wire tensions (being too low) as much or more than that bass strings in the high bass.  The problems can also be compounded by end of the bridge effect either or both in the high bass as well as the low tenor (Fandrich has discussed this on several occasions).  In the low bass the typical problem is lack of clarity and a weak fundamental.  The problem may be addressed by reducing the diameter of the core wire but the bass bridge design and location may contribute as well as the soundboard treatment in that area.    In short, you first need to provide the information that John outlined and then examine what other factors might be contributing to the problems.  An improvement in the scale may very well involve some of the low tenor plain wire section and even then, improvements without bridge changes are usually aiming for “less bad”.  That being said, almost always these scales can be improved and I would encourage you to pursue it if you intend to change the bass strings.  A few pictures of the low tenor and bass bridges would be interesting and maybe helpful to look at.    <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com </div> -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Ilvedson Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:11 PM To: caut@ptg.org; pianotech@ptg.org Subject: rescale bass strings   What information does the string maker need for improving the scaling of the bass section in a 5'3" George Steck?   David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 </div> </body> </html>