CAUT

In a University setting, do you recommend splicing a bass string if possible, or would you always replace the string?

I had String number 4 break on a Steinway be that is about a year and a half old.  It is in one of the piano professors offices.  I spliced it for now but was planning on ordering a replacement string from Mapes (who makes the strings for Steinway).  Good plan?

Do you have different protocols for whether it is a concert instrument, piano faculty, other faculty, classroom, or practice room piano?

Thanks!

David Pritchard
Liberty University

Depends on the splicing method and location of break. Photo will provide more targeted response. Different kind of knots make it debatable. 1 1/2 years it stablized a lot. New string will destablize it

David, well it definitely depends on the situation as Benjamin has said. And for the record, not sure you will get a consensus from CAUTs--However, as a "rule" (as in NORMALLY in a University setting) I have had much greater success replacing strings. Follow-up will be a "snap" in your particular example, being only a single string and that bass strings seem to stabilize much faster than plain wire strings. 

In our school of music (just over 100 pianos including about 15 Steinway grands) we still have about 2 to 3 spliced bass strings still in service--were there before I arrived. BUT not on any of our concert/performance pianos. 

I have only spliced as a temporary fix and then followed up with new strings. 

(My goal is to fix things right as soon as I can get there, and to make repairs as LONG TERM as possible. For me going back and tuning a spliced string until it's finally stabilized is a waste of time & resources--why not get it fixed ASAP and then spend time/energy on the replacement.) 

I hope this helps---I will say that splicing is a FAR BETTER alternative to "universal bass strings!! Yuck! --changes the tinmbre/tone/overtones!! And I'm not against splicing. It can be a great option--in SOME CASES & situations  

Hi David,

I routinely splice strings that break at the tuning pin, both bass and treble strings. As Benjamin pointed out, the original string has stabilized considerably already and will probably be the best match tonally with it's neighboring strings. In my experience, spliced strings achieve tuning stability sooner than an entirely new string. YMMV.

Alan

I think the only time time I ever spliced was in preparation for the  PTG  test in 1983!! Here at BU /Music I always have a full set  of bass strings for  Steinway model's   D and B,  O and M  and Baldwin  9' and Yamaha C6, Mason and Hamlin  BB and A.  When one needs replacing Mapes sends it  right back to keep the set complete. I also have some depleted sets  for the Baldwin smaller grands.

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Martin Snow
Boston MA
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2017 14:51
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Bass string splice versus replace

I think the only time time I ever spliced was in preparation for the  PTG  test in 1983!! Here at BU /Music I always have a full set  of bass strings for  Steinway model's   D and B,  O and M  and Baldwin  9' and Yamaha C6, Mason and Hamlin  BB and A.  When one needs replacing Mapes sends it  right back to keep the set complete. I also have some depleted sets  for the Baldwin smaller grands.

Hi David,

I routinely splice strings that break at the tuning pin, both bass and treble strings. As Benjamin pointed out, the original string has stabilized considerably already and will probably be the best match tonally with it's neighboring strings. In my experience, spliced strings achieve tuning stability sooner than an entirely new string. YMMV.

Alan

For treble strings, if I decide to use some of the coil of the other tuning pin, I pull the coil and straighten part of it (a turn and a half), then replace it on its pin. I also turn out the pin where the string broke about 1 1/2 turns. I straighten the hitchpin bend, make a new hitchpin bend, and insert the free end of the wire into the becket of the free pin. I make a small (2 - 3 mm) bend on the end of the wire that is pulled through the becket to ensure it will be secure to the pin. I then turn that pin, making sure the coils are made tightly.

The purpose of removing the coil and straightening some of its coils it is so that that pin will not end up higher than the others. Straightening the coil is done by holding the coil with round nosed pliers while pulling the end of the coil straight, shifting where you hold the coil as you work a few coils straight.

In that situation if you have a string replace it, if you don't and can splice it, splce it. If the splice isn't compromised for tone there's no reason to replace it. You'll still have to make a return to to retune.

In a University setting, do you recommend splicing a bass string if possible, or would you always replace the string?

I had String number 4 break on a Steinway be that is about a year and a half old.  It is in one of the piano professors offices.  I spliced it for now but was planning on ordering a replacement string from Mapes (who makes the strings for Steinway).  Good plan?

Do you have different protocols for whether it is a concert instrument, piano faculty, other faculty, classroom, or practice room piano?

Thanks!

David Pritchard
Liberty University