I'm fed up of incessant bass string breakages and the problem that follows searching for the right size, length, diameter etc. A technician friend offered dozens of different sizes and makes of strings he had taken out from pianos that needed complete restringing, but most cannot even come close to the exact requirements.

I heard that some techs have their own bass string making machines. Where can I buy one? Thanks.

Here:

http://www.pianoteile.com/kataloge/pdf/Werkzeugkatalog.pdf

Item no. 41.55.00

But I am wondering about your comment about searching for the right size, length and diameter. These measurements have to be taken anyway for the string maker. It´s much easier to have a professional string maker than to make it by your own. Furthermore, you do not only need the machine but also all string diameters and a lot of copper in all diameters. That´s expensive, and when I say expensive I mean really expensive. And you need some practice and/or training.

Usually these machines are profitable only for rebuilding workshops. I worked in two different rebuilding workshops with own string making machines and made a lot of strings. But my first strings were not so good as made from a professional string maker who produces strings day by day.

I strongly advise to forget about an own machine. Contact Gregor Heller in Germany. He is a very good string maker and ships worldwide. 40 % of his production is for export in foreign countries:

www.hellerbass.de

Gregor

Thanks, Gregor for the recommendation and suggestion. I live in the Middle East and it's neither cheap to order a string one at a time whenever an emergency arises. DHL or FedEx charge exorbitant fees and I was thinking of saving freight charge if I made them myself. But you made sense in all you said. And it really looks scary just to look at the picture of the machine. Isn't there anything simpler? Do all techs rely on professional string makers when, say, a hotel calls for an emergency?

I've wound strings for a piano parts wholesaler here in Canada about 20 years ago and I recommend you find a better supplier. The cost for the machine and supplies would be expensive. It also take time and a lot of wasted product to become an experience string winder.

Gregor, that machine is about a simple as they get. There are 1 or 2 more automated ones that cost about the same price as a small house. Some people have successfully converted old lathes but as mentioned above, its very expensive to supply yourself with all the different wire you will need. It would only be justified if you had a bunch of other techs willing to use your services also.

Looks like my idea isn't gonna work. What alternative am I left with?

Two possible suggestions. One is to learn how to splice a broken string. This can be done when it breaks up near the tuning pin and there is enough string left to make a small loop. Reblitzes' book describes the procedure. Occasionally the splice can be made on the speaking length simply to give the hammer something to strike until you get a proper replacement.

The second suggestion is to purchase a set of Uneversal Bass strings. They can range from 150-250 bucks depending on the range you want to cover and their quality. They won't be of the quality of a proper string made to match your measurements but are often used in emergency situations. They are made with the copper wrap extending past what you need and you unwind and snip it off too match the original string's wrap length and location.

Pass on the cost to the customer. It is their string that broke, not yours. Also, I have not tried it but I understand that in a pinch enough winding can be removed to allow a splice in the speaking length.

Splicing had never been my dream come true. I guess one has to have incredible grip to be able to successfully carry it out. Just to bend a bass string seems too difficult...what more to tie it in a knot --- forget it. While, I was told, retaining the original string by splicing will not change the sound quality, replacing in my case is the easier option.

Next time I order tools, I'll include universal bass strings. At least, the show will go on. But is it also an accepted practice if you make a universal string a permanent replacement?

You're right, Jeff. They must pay, and must pay dearly. Honestly, I am not much interested in the profit I might make out of solving that kind of a problem for them. It's just not worth all the trouble and worries. I could make more from tuning with less stress.

Junmer:

"But is it also an accepted practice if you make a universal string a permanent replacement?"

It will be in your area if you start doing it! Get some universals, and give the customer the choice. They can always decide on a correct replacement later. You may be able to service your customers better by combining orders and shipping. But I would change both strings in a bi-chord regardless.

I must be very fortunate. The first time I tied a wound string was on a customer’s piano. I just called up the picture in my head and tied it. (No, I do not have a special kind of memory, just am very familiar with all sorts of knots and splices.) It does not have to be tight to begin with, just complete. It will tighten itself up. Make it the size that you have the grip to make, and let the tuning pin do the rest. Maybe a pair of ground down vise-grips would help. Clip the ends last.

One question is still open: how come? What kind of pianos do you usually tune: old upright clunkers or newish grands? Is it the climate in your region or do you have a let´s say aggresive tuning style? Or do your customers request a pitch of 447 Hz

I tune about 300 pianos each year and I order between 0 and 4 strings per year.

Gregor

Good question, Gregor. Since I started tuning 14 years ago, I broke only 2 bass strings while tuning. The aggressive pianists are the culprits.

Jeff, I think you are doing the right thing by changing both strings in a bichord even if only one broke. The sound of the old and new would clash. I never thought about it. Thanks.

Interesting...I tune 20-25 pianos weekly, and sometimes break no strings during an entire year...occasionally one will pop...usually treble wire. If lots of strings are breaking, you might want to investigate why.

But, in a pinch, the universal bass strings will hold it until I get the right one made by my supplier...even with internation shipping, it would still be way cheaper than buying a new string machine!

RPD

Here is another thought for Junmer:

Maybe other piano technicians in the middle East would appreciate having a string maker in UAE, and would buy strings from you!

But the others are correct - it takes a lot of investment (time and money) to do it right.

If I had the time and money, I would still think it over investing as a bass string manufacturer. The market is not lucrative.

How is the market in Dubai: many pianos and many tuners? Some rebuilders, too? What´s about dealers?

Just curious.

Gregor

To be honest, there are few tuners around. Proper rebuilder, nil. Dealers? There are those dealers for Yamaha, Kawai and some Chinese pianos. Steinway, Bosendorfer and other high quality pianos tried to penetrate the market but were unsuccessful. The culture for musical arts is just in its early stage. But it's a very promising city. Just now, just like anywhere else in the world, business is down. Hopefully it will pick up soon.

I've seen tuners come and go through the years because tuning alone can't make both ends meet. I'm just lucky to do teaching on the side to supplement the income.

Come around if you have the chance. Maybe you'll like the place.

May I ask who you wound strings for?
I am a bass string manufacturer just north of Toronto and we supply our strings all across North America. We are friends with Gregor Heller, Andreas Harke, and the Abel family.
I'd love to hear more about your winding experiences.

Junmar
If I was in your location, and there were no other string makers around, Gregor Heller of Hellerbass would definitely be a good contact for you. No harm in contacting him and simply making a networking connection for yourself.

Very early on in my career I was forced to learn splicing. In emergencies there is no good alternative. New wire installed before a concert, for example, would be too unstable. I have splices that are 30 or more years old and are in fine shape and are indistinguishable sonically from neighboring strings.