Pianotech

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Look for signs of small animals, like cockroaches or mice, walking across the strings, peeing. 

A bumpy ride will not cause strings to break.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

It was kinda cute when she first called: "my piano has some 'cords' hanging down inside....." It took a few minutes to understand exactly what a "cord" was!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

A couple of years ago a bass string on a Pearl River broke for no apparent reason. PR replaced it for free, but that piano was only 5 years old. I can't remember where the string broke. All I'm saying is that perhaps there is some sort of manufacturing problem with their bass strings. Not that the mice or cockroaches could still be the cause. As someone said, contact Mark and ask him.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

My guess would be something in the making of the strings. Perhaps they were nicked, and finally gave up years later. It would be possible for urine to cause breakage, but that should be obvious even to the customer, as there would be signs of mice.

Surely someone has the scale so you can get the strings prior to the first appointment.

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

I'd consider replacing all bass strings. These few might be shades of things to come. As suggested, contact Mark Wisner; there might be a pattern developing.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Replace all the bass strings? Great idea Jon - can I send you the bill?  ;-)  (Really, just kidding....)  I did talk to Mark this morning and he wasn't aware of any sort of habitual string failure on this model. Plus the piano is 20 years old. Mapes reportedly has the string scales, so I'll be calling them in the morning. I think the plan will be to replace the broken ones and see what happens with time. I already mentioned to the owner that when five or six of something break on a piano, it often means that more will break. I think it makes sense to just wait and see with this situation.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 06:45
From: Jon Page
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I'd consider replacing all bass strings. These few might be shades of things to come. As suggested, contact Mark Wisner; there might be a pattern developing.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Just throwing out another option if you find yourself in a pinch:

Those strings could be spliced with a knot between the bridge and hitch pin. First splice on a generous length of new wire. Then make the hitch pin loop at the appropriate location. Some guesswork would be involved. I'd probably loosen the tuning pin a full turn and then make the loop higher up so you have to really pull to get it over the hitch pin. That way the extra slack won't leave you with the copper winding running into the end of the speaking length when you tighten it back up.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 20:21
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Replace all the bass strings? Great idea Jon - can I send you the bill?  ;-)  (Really, just kidding....)  I did talk to Mark this morning and he wasn't aware of any sort of habitual string failure on this model. Plus the piano is 20 years old. Mapes reportedly has the string scales, so I'll be calling them in the morning. I think the plan will be to replace the broken ones and see what happens with time. I already mentioned to the owner that when five or six of something break on a piano, it often means that more will break. I think it makes sense to just wait and see with this situation.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 06:45
From: Jon Page
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I'd consider replacing all bass strings. These few might be shades of things to come. As suggested, contact Mark Wisner; there might be a pattern developing.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Anthony W. wrote: "Those strings could be spliced with a knot between the bridge and hitch pin."

Good suggestion Anthony. I did consider that - and I have done that in the past. I have found it to be very difficult to gauge everything - knot compression, etc. - so that after tying the knot, bending the loop and twisting the twist - so that the copper winding is in the right place in the speaking length (hey, IMHO, it is difficult to even GET the copper winding fully within the speaking length when doing a tail repair!!!). I think if one were to spend the time and do several trail repairs, one could get a pretty good idea of what lengths of strings are needed where, ect., ect., and get it to come out fairly good. I haven't spent that time, and I really don't want to.

The other consideration in this particular case is that the piano is 45 miles away from my shop. Driving to the piano, picking up the strings, taking them back to my shop to make the repairs in some sort of controlled environment (access to jigs, etc.) - and there is NO WAY I'm going to try to make the loop repairs in the field (I've embarrassed myself enough times for a lifetime of embarrassment already!) - then driving back to the piano, etc. etc. is going to cost a good bit more than the cost of five new strings. Plus, with the new strings, I don't have the opportunity to embarrass myself when the copper winding digs in against either the bridge pins or the post thingee at the upper speaking length termination point.

Okay, so what the heck is the proper term for the post thingee on an upright when there is no agraffe?

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 21:22
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Just throwing out another option if you find yourself in a pinch:

Those strings could be spliced with a knot between the bridge and hitch pin. First splice on a generous length of new wire. Then make the hitch pin loop at the appropriate location. Some guesswork would be involved. I'd probably loosen the tuning pin a full turn and then make the loop higher up so you have to really pull to get it over the hitch pin. That way the extra slack won't leave you with the copper winding running into the end of the speaking length when you tighten it back up.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 20:21
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Replace all the bass strings? Great idea Jon - can I send you the bill?  ;-)  (Really, just kidding....)  I did talk to Mark this morning and he wasn't aware of any sort of habitual string failure on this model. Plus the piano is 20 years old. Mapes reportedly has the string scales, so I'll be calling them in the morning. I think the plan will be to replace the broken ones and see what happens with time. I already mentioned to the owner that when five or six of something break on a piano, it often means that more will break. I think it makes sense to just wait and see with this situation.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 06:45
From: Jon Page
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I'd consider replacing all bass strings. These few might be shades of things to come. As suggested, contact Mark Wisner; there might be a pattern developing.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Upper terminations?

>Okay, so what the heck is the proper term for the post thingee on an upright when there is no agraffe?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-08-2019 07:38
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. wrote: "Those strings could be spliced with a knot between the bridge and hitch pin."

Good suggestion Anthony. I did consider that - and I have done that in the past. I have found it to be very difficult to gauge everything - knot compression, etc. - so that after tying the knot, bending the loop and twisting the twist - so that the copper winding is in the right place in the speaking length (hey, IMHO, it is difficult to even GET the copper winding fully within the speaking length when doing a tail repair!!!). I think if one were to spend the time and do several trail repairs, one could get a pretty good idea of what lengths of strings are needed where, ect., ect., and get it to come out fairly good. I haven't spent that time, and I really don't want to.

The other consideration in this particular case is that the piano is 45 miles away from my shop. Driving to the piano, picking up the strings, taking them back to my shop to make the repairs in some sort of controlled environment (access to jigs, etc.) - and there is NO WAY I'm going to try to make the loop repairs in the field (I've embarrassed myself enough times for a lifetime of embarrassment already!) - then driving back to the piano, etc. etc. is going to cost a good bit more than the cost of five new strings. Plus, with the new strings, I don't have the opportunity to embarrass myself when the copper winding digs in against either the bridge pins or the post thingee at the upper speaking length termination point.

Okay, so what the heck is the proper term for the post thingee on an upright when there is no agraffe?

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 21:22
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Just throwing out another option if you find yourself in a pinch:

Those strings could be spliced with a knot between the bridge and hitch pin. First splice on a generous length of new wire. Then make the hitch pin loop at the appropriate location. Some guesswork would be involved. I'd probably loosen the tuning pin a full turn and then make the loop higher up so you have to really pull to get it over the hitch pin. That way the extra slack won't leave you with the copper winding running into the end of the speaking length when you tighten it back up.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 20:21
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Replace all the bass strings? Great idea Jon - can I send you the bill?  ;-)  (Really, just kidding....)  I did talk to Mark this morning and he wasn't aware of any sort of habitual string failure on this model. Plus the piano is 20 years old. Mapes reportedly has the string scales, so I'll be calling them in the morning. I think the plan will be to replace the broken ones and see what happens with time. I already mentioned to the owner that when five or six of something break on a piano, it often means that more will break. I think it makes sense to just wait and see with this situation.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 06:45
From: Jon Page
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I'd consider replacing all bass strings. These few might be shades of things to come. As suggested, contact Mark Wisner; there might be a pattern developing.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 04:34
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Anthony W. asked whether the broken strings are consecutive. No, but somewhat close. The picture below is all that I have to go on at this time. I have not seen the piano - it is some distance from me, so I asked the owner to send me some pictures. She also gave me the model and serial number - hopefully, a string maker has the scale and I can order the replacement strings before I ever even drive to the piano.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 01:19
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

All animals pee, but do they pee on the strings of an upright piano?

Are the 5 strings consecutive? I'm trying to imagine something blunt and heavy striking the strings. Weird for them to all break down there at the termination.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 00:39
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

All animals pee, or something. :)

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 23:19
From: James Kelly
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Look for any sign of rust, corrosion , contact of the strings with felt. I had someone with a grand piano here on which about a half dozen bass strings broke at that end of the strings. I forget the exact location of the breaks but they where not just at the hitch pin or on the hitch pin felt punching. Mouse pee may have been involved or the fact the piano was in some extreme moisture/humidity. By any chance was the piano sitting in flood waters ? I had a customer here with a Baldwin acrosonic that had several broken strings at the bottom. Close examination with a bright light showed a distinct water line about 6 inches up from the floor. After revealing this to the owner they admitted they had water enter the house during a tidal surge that was over the height of the baseboard. Not saying this is/was the case but people sometimes withhold information or forget.  PS I didn't know that cockroaches peed

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 22:23
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

Contact Mark Wisner. He's the Pearl River tech support person for the Americas's. 909-270-8838

I agree with Wim. Moving, even a bumpy move, should not have caused this.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

If you do not see major rust or corrosion stains on the strings it is also possible that the factory did something inappropriate during manufacturing to weaken all of the strings at the hitch pin loops.  

The wire might be badly stressed at the loop and breaking due to a harsh twist.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
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I would simply replace the currently broken strings and wait to see what happens. You have already warned her that more nay happen.

Cost is something to be borne by the owner. Just tell her what's involved, the cost it will be (for you to do it...others closer may charge less) and let her decide. 

I would say there is a POSSIBILITY that the move affected it in this way. This would be totally unforeseeable though.  Nonetheless, she should understand that the piano has already used up 50% of its design lifespan with few problems.  How many other items does she own that last this long?

Pwg

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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2019 04:11
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

If you do not see major rust or corrosion stains on the strings it is also possible that the factory did something inappropriate during manufacturing to weaken all of the strings at the hitch pin loops.

The wire might be badly stressed at the loop and breaking due to a harsh twist.

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Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170

Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

I came across this exact situation today. Same model even. The core wire felt really soft. 2 broken bass strings that snapped in the middle of the night (client said). No rust. No corrosion. No animal infestations. I ended up making a decent looking hitch pin loop (what are they called on bass strings?) and spliced the lower end. It held. Still had that panic attack when pulling it up to pitch. Tried 3 splices on string #2 bit the original string kept breaking. Eventually ran out of workable length and left it. I'll attach pic below. ​

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Tyler Ayala
Los Gatos CA
831-535-9807
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2019 19:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Pearl River Studio Upright Strings Breaking

I have a customer that has an 18 year old (about) Pearl River studio upright model UP118M. She is the original owner and plays infrequently and lightly. She moved recently to a new home and now the piano has five broken bass strings. They all broke at the top of the twisted portion of the hitch pin loop (exactly right where the twisted portion ends and the plain steel core wire begins).

Has anyone seen anything like this? Is anyone aware that this is any sort of common problem on Pearl Rivers?

The reasonable question looms: will they continue to keep breaking on their own? Apparently, she has a bumpy driveway made up of "pavers" (I think those are the thin brick-like things with little spaces between them - indeed bumpy) and said that the movers pushed the piano on a dolly across the bumpy driveway and the piano was really thump, thump, thumping along. She thinks that the movers broke the strings moving the piano across the driveway. I told her that I had a hard time imagining that to be the case. But then again, she said that the piano played fine before the move. Thoughts?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------