Hi Hank
I've never heard that handling copper is a heath risk. No, you don't want to eat it, but we handle bass strings all the time, like when restringing a piano, and there has never been a problem. (wash your hands afterwards). There are ads on TV for copper lined gloves, knee braces, etc. Apparently there are positive health benefits from wearing copper. So why would removing copper windings be a problem?
To remove the winding, especially on a big string like an A0, use side cutters to get the end of the winding away from the core string, and then needle nose pliers to grab the end, and start pulling. When I've had to do this on a universal, it's easier if you hold on to the string with vice grips, while unwinding the copper.
As others have said, on that string, there is nothing wrong with putting the knot in the speaking length. If fact I've seen knots in the speaking length on strings in the upper bass.
As far as not having a A0 string and the resale value, I doubt it will have a big impact.
You mentioned that this string is a replacement from Mapes already. If this is a new string and it broke during installation, you can send the string back to them and get a new one. You can also call Andy, and he might even believe you and send it without seeing the original.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-25-2020 13:53
From: Henry Mooney
Subject: Soldering piano strings instead of tying them
Wim: I had thought of unwinding some of the copper, but I was not sure it was a good idea and I was not sure exactly how to do it.
Copper is not really healthy stuff to get too close to.
But mainly, I just was afraid removing part of the winding was something 'just not done'.
How do I go about doing this?
The string is itself a custom made (mapes) replacement, and part of the leader broke off when I tried to install it for the first time.
I know the piano can be easily played without the #1 string. But if the owner ever tries to sell the piano, a missing string will probably reduce the sale price of the instrument by more than it will cost him to have the string properly installed.
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Hank Mooney
San Francisco CA
415-640-2731
[Hank]
Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2020 23:20
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Soldering piano strings instead of tying them
Hank
The solder wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the tension of the string. The string is pulled to about 130 - 150 pounds of tension.
Depending on the quality of the piano, you have three options.
1. Remove enough of the winding to be able to make a loop to tie the string. Since there is no string to compare the tone of the string, you won't hear the difference in tone.
2. Replace the string with a universal string.
3. Send the string to a string maker and have them duplicate it.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2020 22:56
From: Henry Mooney
Subject: Soldering piano strings instead of tying them
I find myself trying to install a number one (A-0) string in on upright.
I know how to tie strings, but this string, for reasons too boring to go into, has only about an inch of its bare-string leader left.
There is just no room to bend the leader into an acceptable piano-tuner's knot.
I have lots of fresh #24 (very thick) piano wire that I bought for this project.
Can I solder piano wire?
Would it require too much heat, the wire being stainless steel?
In general I don't even like soldering stuff, but I do have a soldering iron and some solder left over from the days when I used to tinker with flutes.
Is it okay to solder piano strings?
Hank
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Hank Mooney
San Francisco CA
415-640-2731
[Hank]
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