Pianotech

  • 1.  Ludwig upright piano stringing scale question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2026 21:05

    Hello all,

      I am restringing an old Ludwig upright, and have been taking micrometer measurements of the old plain wire strings as I remove them. As I get farther into the tear down though and I am looking at the notations I have made of my measurements I am not sure they have been correct. I used to own the old Randy Travis stringing book with all of the scales in it but cannot seem to find the book (and I/m not even sure there was a scale in that book for a Ludwig upright piano anyway). Does anyone have any advise or wisdom for me to make sure that I get the plain wire sizes as correct as possible? Does anyone still have that book who might be able to check it for me? Thanks in advance for the help!



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    Eric Werner RPT
    Medford OR
    (541) 301-7988
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  • 2.  RE: Ludwig upright piano stringing scale question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2026 22:30
    Eric

    If you have a good micrometer, and measure each string at the same place, then you're going to have to assume the measurement is correct. What might make a difference is if you can see that the string you're measuring, and it doesn't fit the pattern, if it has been replaced at some time in the past. It might not be visible, but you can spot them if you look closely. 

    Some manufacturers didn't always follow an even pattern, (18,17.5, 17, 16.5, etc). So take what there and be satisfied with it. If you want to try to improve the scale, there are several people on this list who offer that service. You need to ask yourself if it's worth investing on that. 





  • 3.  RE: Ludwig upright piano stringing scale question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-11-2026 07:39
    Eric, you might reach out to John at JD Grandt.
    I have a copy of John Travis' book, If you tell me which notes you have doubts about,
    serial and model I'll see if there is anything listed. 

    I don't know if Randy Travis would be of much help,
    and didn't know he was a piano technician. 








    --
    Dave Conte, RPT, CCT
    Owner, Rocky Top Piano
    Knoxville, TN
    817-307-5656







  • 4.  RE: Ludwig upright piano stringing scale question

    Posted 05-11-2026 11:39
    Hi Eric,
    Investing a little time in examining the stringing scale is always a good idea
    And a great learning experience in my opinion
    Restringing a piano is quite an investment
    Every job is an opportunity to learn
    Ludwig uprights from the golden era that I’ve seen are great
    additionally Randy Travis is a singer
    I remember buying John’s guide to restringing from him personally at a convention years ago
    I used P scale from Tremaine Parsons for years
    Sent from my iPhone, please excuse typos, etc.
    Fenton Murray
    Cell 831-320-7042