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Complete Restringing Suggestions Please

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Home Forums Harps and Accessories Complete Restringing Suggestions Please

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #190327
    pluck
    Participant

    Hi Everyone! I’ve had my L&H 85CG stay at a family member’s home while I was out of state for about 4 years. I’ve got it back now and would like to restring it, but there are several broken strings. What would be the kindest way to go about doing this? I’ve always left complete restringings to the techs and changed out basses or octaves myself when needed. Should I just go down the line and change to change each string first octave down to basses? Should I bring it up to pitch immediately or gradually? Bring A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. up to pitch per octave to even out the tension? Does it even matter?

    Thanks for any suggestions or tips!

    #190330
    catherine-rogers
    Participant

    Start at the top or bottom, whichever you prefer, and bring each string up to pitch or even a hair sharp as you put it on. I like to start at the top since the first octave nylons take the longest to hold pitch. As you work your way down, continue to tune each string you’ve already changed in addition to the one you just put on. Wires hold their pitch quicker than the rest, as you know, so I leave them for last. Tune it every time you look at it or walk by it. Have fun!

    #190335
    pluck
    Participant

    Thanks for the advice Catherine. I’m saving up for a new set, they are so pricey!! I seem to remember there were certain times of the year when strings would go on sale. Do you remember when this is?

    #190363
    Biagio
    Participant

    In this case I would start in the middle, and go down, then back up – one string at a time. My rationale being that I don’t want to stress the soundboard any more than necessary and the greatest stress is from the fifth and sixth octave down. So I also keep those lower frequency strings about a whole step (or more) below the actual pitch on the first pass, especially the wire core ones.

    Sorry to come in late on this one:-)

    Biagio

    #190365
    balfour-knight
    Participant

    Good advice, everyone! Check with Vanderbilt or Lyon & Healy to see when they will have a sale on complete sets of strings. Also, the Atlanta and Virginia harp centers.

    Cheers,
    Balfour

    #190496
    pluck
    Participant

    thanks for the great advice everyone 🙂

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