Pianotech

  • 1.  Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-17-2018 13:52
    Hi everyone,
    Tomorrow I'll be replacing a bass string on a 6'4" Schimmel grand, model SP from 2003-2004.
    "Diamond Jubilee Special Anniversary" model. The customer, a retired piano technician, ordered the string, but no longer has tools, which is why I'll install it.

    The problem is, this piano has broken about 6 bass strings. 
    -breakage has been either at the tuning pin, with one breaking between the winding and agraffe.
    -breakage has occurred during, or a few hours after tuning. The customer tunes it.

    Any ideas about what might be going on? Anyone see this on other Schimmels?
    thanks,
    Scott



    Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician
    Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California
    (541)601-9033


  • 2.  RE: Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Posted 09-17-2018 15:19
    If he first lowers the tension, by how much? If it is more than a few cps (cents would be better) then he might be work hardening the wire, over stressing. Ask him to tune a few bass notes to evaluate his hammer technique.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-17-2018 15:29
    Hi Scott,

    Two ideas off the top of my head. One, how good is his technique? A local over here is quite good at breaking strings, and it's because of his technique. Maybe ask to observe him tuning?

    Second, I'm not familiar with that model, but could it be that the scale was designed with too high of tension in that area? If that's the case it may need to be redesigned, but that's another topic entirely. 

    On a side note, are you asking for ideas out of curiosity, or has the client asked you to figure it out? Personally, I'm a little cautious when working directly for retired technicians, especially if they haven't keep up on training or trends. Just saying to be diplomatic, because a lot of the "old timers" (I prefer the term Forefathers - ok, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, no pun intended) may be a little slow to acknowledge that you're the professional, not just a set of hands to do what theirs can no longer do.

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    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-17-2018 19:30
    Hi Scott:
    I'm not surprised, though I can't cite any specifics, because I've found this brand has a high tension bass scale. I'll defer to anyone who can measure the strings and lengths and calculate the scale to prove it. I used to service some upright pianos with high tension scales from them. There was no extra room for overpulling the strings, lest they break.
    My $.02.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-18-2018 00:45
    Hi everyone,
    Yes I've considered both possibilities: poor tuning technique, and poor scale design. Maybe it's something really simple, like he uses a tuning device and mistakenly set it too high.

    There may be more questions than answers here. For example, while the piano is a 2003, the customer bought it used in about 2008. In that five years after it was new, did any strings break? I'll likely never know. 

    I'll report back if I learn anything.
    thanks,
    Scott

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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Schimmel breaking bass strings

    Posted 09-27-2018 14:58
    Hi,

    If you could send me the key number, speaking length, core and total diameters, I would be happy to calculate the string for you. 

    That way we can see if the tension on the string is within safety margins

    Ps, the type of eye would be good to know too
     As an English eye can take less stress than a German eye. 



    Cheers

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    Just Vrins
    Quality Strings
    Custom Wound - Better Sound
    www.qualitystrings.com/en
    +31 345 77 8338
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    Original Message