Universal Bass Strings

Focus On: Installation of Universal Bass Strings When a bass string breaks in a piano, the correct repair is to either tie the broken string or replace it. When it's not repaired on the spot, time has a habit of slipping away, and it may never get fixed (witness the note on the plate in the photo—the string wouldn't be replaced for 68 more years!) Since ther e are broken / missing strings in the bass of your piano, one answer is to fill in for the strings that are missing with "universal" bass strings. Exacting measurements of the wire sizes of the existing neighboring strings will be taken to ensure a correct match. Miking the core wire. Miking the copper winding. Removing excess winding. Making a new coil. The Piano Owner's Heads-Up Guide to Important Piano Maintenance After a universal string with the cor- rect core wire diameter and copper winding size is selected, the extra winding will be re- moved to match the length of the winding on the original string. (Universal strings come with a hexagon steel core wire which will firmly grip the end of the copper winding to prevent further unraveling.) A new coil will then be put on the end of the replacement wire and the wire will be installed in the place of the missing string, as in the photo below. With your set of strings complete, your piano will have a fuller sound once again. Keeping on top of needed repairs will keep your piano in good playing condition, so that it may be enjoyed to the fullest. - Jema Pianos