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Re: Wire Size Calculations, Restringing Scales
By Bill Chapman

There are a number of books published in the '20s and '30s on wire
scales for pianos.  They are so numerous that almost any large library
will have several.  The graduation of wire size in pianos was something
that gave the mathematically inclined builders huge amounts of
material.  I have heard re-scaled (restrung pianos with different sized
wire) and it does make a difference in sound.

    I am sure that the Krakauer model scale is listed in a publication
somewhere.  I'll check our local library as I researched this topic 20
years ago when I bought a French piano, built of solid (not veneer).
Curiously, the piano was in very good shape with great hammers, and a
simple art case of honduras mahogany with black striping.  However the
strings were rusted beyond measuring.  Since the string size and the
original pitch were both unknowns, restringing was only an educated
guess.  I settled for 465=A, and with a computer, calculated a scale.
Don't try this without a calculator!  I'll check the local library to
find the piano scale book today and post it. BTW, the piano sounded
fairly good with new strings.



(Message sent Thu, 25 Apr 1996 14:09:19 -0400 , from time zone -0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Calculations, Restringing, Scales, Size, Wire