Restringing an old Grand

David B · Post by **David B** » 26 Jul 2006, 09:30

I have a 1904 Brinsmead 7ft straight strung grand piano, the action on which I had completely overhauled (new felts, dampers, hammer heads etc) about 2 years ago. This vastly improved the piano, and its a joy to play.

My question is, will a rstring significantly improve the depth of tone, and how much should it cost? I was told by one technician when getting quotes for works before, that over time the strings lose their elasticity and "bounce", and that restringing is s good idea.

What do you think?

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 26 Jul 2006, 17:59

Bass string gets tubby and tired and over the years the core gets stretched so can make the string sound faults. As for the treble not so much a big improvement to most ears. However, over time strings do get stretched, pitted and very faults particularly in the top treble many concert grands that are worked hard have there top trebles restrung after 2 years

Changing the bridge pins can also improve the clarity of the sound some pianos do sound nicer with an impure treble its all down to how you would like the piano to sound in the end

As to price that is difficult with out seeing the piano as there may be other factors like an new plank, soundboard problems and bridge problems.

Barrie,

David B · Post by **David B** » 27 Jul 2006, 08:54

Thanks for the reply Barry. Maybe I will see if I can get a few local quotes. Its useful to get a dis-interested opinion first though.

Luckily my piano doesn't have a wrest plank, so no problems there

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 27 Jul 2006, 19:29

Is it the infamous Brinsmead machine-head system where the string runs through the pin and it has to be tuned with a spanner?

David B · Post by **David B** » 27 Jul 2006, 23:16

Yep, sure is. Seems to me to be one of innovations that should have become universal. No broken wrest planks, no loose pins, and the whole frame adapts to any change in temp together.

BUT, should I re-string her?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 27 Jul 2006, 23:38

Finding a decent technician who'll work on one of those things will not be easy. Don't ask me to do it

I'd disagree that all pianos should have been made that way. For every advantage it added, it removed another. They're laborious and fiddly to tune, and rust often makes the process worse.

If you love the old joanna it may be an idea, but remember you're dealing with what most people would regard as worthless junk, so don't expect ever to sell it for anything like what you'll spend. Seems like you've spent a good deal already. It's your money so spend it as you see fit. I've just spent far too much on an old Hillman Super-Minx that'll never be worth much, but I thought she was too proud a steed to let rot, so I guess it's a similar thing. Mind you, it probably sounds better than a straight strung Brinsmead! (sorry, couldn't resist!! he he he!)

Any straight strung grand is still going to sound 'vintage' after a re-string, but I'm sure you're not expecting it to sound like a Yamaha anyway! You should notice a degree of improvement in sustain and less falseness of tone.

My advice? Buy a Yamaha C3.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 28 Jul 2006, 00:07

David B wrote:Yep, sure is. Seems to me to be one of innovations that should have become universal. No broken wrest planks, no loose pins, and the whole frame adapts to any change in temp together.

BUT, should I re-string her?

The price will be very much more than an normal restring. One day it will be worth the money you have spent on it as they are getting quite thin on the ground but tghat is a long time off 75 years

Barrie,

David B · Post by **David B** » 28 Jul 2006, 08:59

Worthless junk?

She's an artcase Rosewood with a clear treble and sonorous bass. She runs rings around any baby, and despite being straight strung, she is 7ft, and that still provides a reasonable string length on a big soundboard.

I'm an advanced player, and can tell the difference, between junk and a good piano, thank you kindly.

My question was not as to your opinion of value, but what tonal variance would be likely with new strings, and if it was the case that given their age the extant strings were not giving the best from the piano. Ta.

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 29 Jul 2006, 07:50

Whatever your particular piano is like, art-case aside, most people in the trade will regard it as worthless junk. It may well have a tone, action and character that pleases you, but believe me, you're in the same minority as those who still think that the Austin Seven is viable everyday transport. I can see that you really love your old Brinsmead, so this being the case, then of course restringing will improve the tone, clarity and sustain capability.

My worry with getting the restringing process done would be the choice of technician. You must be sure that whoever you choose has experience in this obscure process, and that your piano is not ruined by being the subject of someone's "vertical learning curve". A keen youing technician fresh out of college for example, may jump enthusiastically at the challenge, but chances are he'll botch it up. As Barrie has pointed out, the process will be much more expensive than on a conventional piano. Be careful to get advice on the type of strings originally used and adhere to the original design; don't allow the technician to apply a modern scale, and you should get a good improvement. Restringing on the cheap, or being 'innovative' is likely to ruin what you have now.

Indeed, someone should restore one of these for posterity!

Who designed the case?

David B · Post by **David B** » 31 Jul 2006, 09:27

OK thanks. I do have a modern Kawai upright as well; I like have a choice, and the contrast in touch and texture.

And I am concerned about modern grands being simply too loud; I had a 5ft Kawai some years ago, and it was too loud for the 1000sq ft warehouse sitting room that it was in.

I am not looking to re-sell (though I got the piano cheap in the first place, so I am happy to spend some money on it).

I will seek out some specialists, thanks

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 31 Jul 2006, 22:50

A good start could be Early Keyboard Agency near Banbury in Oxfordshire. They make excellent bass strings and components, and also restore historic instruments.

01869 232282

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 14 Aug 2006, 09:58

Top-tuners are wonderful, and anyone who has actually tried tuning one will know that it is a far better system than wrestpins. As far restringing, it's like other restoration, you never know until it's done, and my advice is to spend your money on a piano that is already done, rather than on some vague promise of what it might be like after restringing.

David B · Post by **David B** » 15 Aug 2006, 15:30

Thanks Bill for your input. I'm starting to think that its better to leave well alone; though the very lowest part of the bass (single strings) might benefit.

Is it possible (or advisable) to just restring this part? I am asking because of the tension on the frame and whether its advisable to lower it in one section only?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 25 Aug 2006, 10:17

If you remove and replace one bass string at a time, the compression changes on the frame will be minimised.

No reason why you shouldn't have just the singles or all the bass strings replaced, but if you're happy with it why bother?