Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > April 1996 > 1996.04.24 > 01Prev  Next


Re: Wire Size Calculations
By Terry Smythe

WOW!

Many thanks for all those responses to my inquiry about determining wire sizes for a Krakauer grand with no strings.

By chance, I did acquire with it a full set of new bass strings, but the documentation for wire sizes of the treble strings was missing. I am aware of the techniques that Craig mentioned to acquire a new set of bass strings, in fact, have done it before. But how to determine wire dimensions for the rest had me stumped.

Fritz Gellerman suggested a book "A Guide To Restringing", by John W. Travis. A quick on-line visit to my local library revealed they had a copy located in the main branch, followed by a quick trip there this morning, and I'm looking at it right now. Many thanks Fritz, much appreciated.

In it is something called "The Klepac Chart" which purports to set out a simple table of "speaking lengths" against wire size, from 2.04 inches (#13 wire) through to 70.57 inches (#21 wire). If this is a surprise to others, as it is to me, you may be interested in this table, which is as follows:

       Speaking length               Wire Size

2.04" to 2.39" 13
2.52" to 2.95" 13 1/2
3.00" to 3.64" 14
3.83" to 4.96" 14 1/2
5.25" to 6.83" 15
7.20" to 9.34" 15 1/2
9.85" to 11.53" 16
12.14" to 15.79" 16 1/2
16.64" to 19.48" 17
20.52" to 24.03" 17 1/2
25.32" to 29.62" 18
28.12" to 36.50" 18 1/2
31.83" to 37.33" 19
39.36" to 51.29" 19 1/2
48.67" to 63.14" 20
60.19" to 70.57" 20 1/2
66.90" to 70.57" 21

This is an abbreviated list, which also includes specific string identification against speaking length, which accounts for apparent overlap in the higher lengths. The actual table is 2 pages in length, and if desired, I could upload a .PCX image of the complete table. Credit is given "courtesy of the Schaff Piano Supply Co., Chicago, IL.

However, it looks too easy, and I've learned that if something is too good to be true, then it likely is. Has anybody had experience with this chart? Given that other very knowledgeable people have developed mathematical formulae to do this, can such a simple table be considered reliable?

Regards,

Terry

Terry Smythe                       (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
55 Rowand Avenue smythe@mts.net
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J 2N6 smythe@freenet.mb.ca

(Message sent Wed 24 Apr 1996, 15:40:51 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Calculations, Size, Wire

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page