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Wim,
<p>You have me somewhat puzzled. You state you are going back to
the original question, and you tell us what that was, but I can't see that
you actually answered it even now, unless I overlooked something.
If the original question is as you stated, the answer is, "Yes."
Simple enough.
<p>Regards,
<br>Clyde Hollinger
<p>Wimblees@AOL.COM wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size=-1>Somehow
the focus on this subject changed from what the original intent of the
post was, and I wound up trying to defend string breakage, which was not
my initial intent. I would like to go back to the original question, and
discuss that topic.</font></font>
<p><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size=-1>If I recall, the original
question was, "can bass strings be replaced without damaging the piano?"
To which Joe said, the treble strings should be replaced also. To which
I responded they don't have to be replaced. Somehow that got to be interpreted
that I wouldn't replace strings even though they loose elasticity, plastic,
become corroded, rusted, get fatigued, etc.</font></font>
<p><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size=-1>I agree with all of those
reasons treble strings should be replaced. But the one reason, which was
my point, that treble strings do not be replaced is the sound, or tone
of the strings. By all means, if the strings are breaking like crazy, because
of any or all of the above reasons, then yes, they should be replaced.
But I don't think replacing them will change the tone of the piano. There
are other factors that will change the tone, but not the new strings themselves.</font></font>
<p><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size=-1>The other thing to consider
on this 100 year old piano is the cost factor. Is it really worth replacing
the treble strings on this piano? There is a hell of lot more labor involved
to restring the entire piano, than just to do the bass strings. A
new set of bass strings, including the parts and the labor to install them,
and the couple of trips back to retune, is in the neighborhood of $300
- $400. To restring the entire piano, including the trips back to
retune, is in the neighborhood of $1500 - $2000. (That's if it is done
in the shop. If they piano has to be moved, add a couple of hundred dollars.)
So one has to ask the question, is the piano worth spending 3 to 4 times
as much money on? And for a 100 year old upright, my answer would be no.</font></font>
<p><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size=-1>Wim</font></font></blockquote>
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