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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I have tuned many =
pianos several
semitones flat by overpulling way above pitch in one pass without
breakage. We've all seen older uprights that were nothing but a =
ball of
rust, and no breakage. It also happens that fairly new instruments =
will
break a string by barely moving the pin.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Every piano I junk, =
I tighten
each string to the breaking point just to see what it takes to make it
fail. Often the pin rotates 1/2 turn before the string lets =
go. On
other occasions (sometimes within the same piano) just touching the =
string will
make it snap. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> My conclusion is =
that there is
no rhyme or reason and no predicting string breakage. I also =
believe
there is no cure-all method to avoid string breakage. I've tried =
letting
down tension first, lubrication of various types, hammer technique, etc, =
and
they still may let go. Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often, =
and if
in doubt, I mention to the customer that "occasionally strings break, =
but I
carry spares and they are easy to replace." This opens the =
possibility to
the customer, but minimizes the seriousness. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Mike =
Kurta</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Auburn,
NY</FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>