What to do when one of the strings of a note breaks?

[pytheamateur]

This happens frequently with my teacher's piano.  For example, for a few of the notes in the lower register, one of the two strings have been broken.

The tuner has advised my teacher that in such a case, you should not simply replace the broken string with a new one: it won't work to have one old string next to a new string.  So what my teacher is doing now is to wait until the other string breaks as well before doing anything about it.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?), that other string is proving to be a lot more resilient.

My gut reaction in such a case is to replace the one that is not broken as well so you have all new strings for that note.  However, my teacher seems happy to live with only having one functioning string.  Can that be justified, or is he trying to save money?

If you are a technician, what would your advice be?  If you are pianist, would you live with it?  It just doesn't seem right, how you can make the same music when some of the notes don't have all the strings?  To be fair, it's not easy to notice that some of the base notes have missing strings.  Perhaps this is a testamount to how bad the piano is?

[quantum]

I've broken several bichord bass strings on my old piano.  In each case the technician replaced only one string.  Yes, the new string sounded different: actually they were much richer in sound than the original strings.  However, this did not detract from my playing experience.  I would much rather have the slight change in tone of a new string compared to only having one string in a bicchord sounding.  In my experience, the change in tone from a new string is much more apparent with the copper wound bass strings as opposed to trebble strings. 

You could be waiting for years for that second string to break.  And in the meantime it could be causing uneven wear on the hammer felts. 

[pytheamateur]

You could be waiting for years for that second string to break.  And in the meantime it could be causing uneven wear on the hammer felts. 

Good point.  I hadn't thought about that.  I would never do that if it were my piano.  At the end, perhaps it doesn't matter either way for a piano whose rightful place is the bonfire (my teacher's words).

[j_menz]

One string, I'd just replace the string. If it's happening a lot though, I'd get the whole thing restrung.

[pianolive]

I usually change both strings, because new and old strings do not sound good together and they are difficult to tune together too. And as you say, having just one string is no good either.
If strings breake often you should have a tech examine the piano. Maybe the hammers are worn out.

[pytheamateur]

I usually change both strings, because new and old strings do not sound good together and they are difficult to tune together too. And as you say, having just one string is no good either.
If strings breake often you should have a tech examine the piano. Maybe the hammers are worn out.

For such a piano it probably makes more financial sense to get a new piano.  However, I can understand why my teacher is not seemingly willing to spend much on it because it is his landlord's piano.  And his landlord is not a musician.  Hence the grim prospect of getting a better piano   To me, nothing sums up better than this the tough life of a concert pianist: spending your practice time and therefore most of your working life with an instrument that you hate.

[ionian_tinnear]

What you don't mention is what kind of piano is breaking strings.  There are some models, especially small 'domestic' Yamahas that have a design flaw in some years.  This flaw place too much angle on the string and therefore they can be easy to break.

No matter what, you replace the string and not wait for the other to break.

[pytheamateur]

What you don't mention is what kind of piano is breaking strings.  There are some models, especially small 'domestic' Yamahas that have a design flaw in some years.  This flaw place too much angle on the string and therefore they can be easy to break.

No matter what, you replace the string and not wait for the other to break.

It's a Reid Sohn baby grand.  Apparently Reid Sohn is known as Samick outside the UK.

https://uk.jreidpianos.com/default/

[hfmadopter]

It's a Reid Sohn baby grand.  Apparently Reid Sohn is known as Samick outside the UK.

https://uk.jreidpianos.com/default/

I fail to see how it matters much since it's not your piano to worry about ! But the one string should be replaced just for less stress on the piano, better the pair for sound. And that's relative to the condition of the rest of the bass strings at that.
David

[pytheamateur]

I fail to see how it matters much since it's not your piano to worry about ! But the one string should be replaced just for less stress on the piano, better the pair for sound. And that's relative to the condition of the rest of the bass strings at that.
David

Thanks for your advice.  It only worries me because I have lessons on that piano.  Perhaps it is not worrying my teacher as much as it would otherwise as this is not his piano either.  And the person with the least cause for worry is the owner, because he does not play the piano!

[hfmadopter]

Thanks for your advice.  It only worries me because I have lessons on that piano.  Perhaps it is not worrying my teacher as much as it would otherwise as this is not his piano either.  And the person with the least cause for worry is the owner, because he does not play the piano!

Ya, it's quite the situation ! If it totally breaks down your teacher may be out of business.
Strange position, as it may seem to be.

Incidentally, are these strings just breaking on their own or during tuning ?

[pytheamateur]

Ya, it's quite the situation ! If it totally breaks down your teacher may be out of business.
Strange position, as it may seem to be.

Incidentally, are these strings just breaking on their own or during tuning ?

They usually break during playing.

My teacher seems to do more performing than teaching, and he said he had managed before even when he did not have a piano at home.

[richard black]

Just replace the broken string. A Reid Sohn won't be very old (I know that because the name hasn't been around for very long!) and it's also not an amazingly refined piano, so the very minor tonal difference between old and new strings will hardly be a big deal.

[hfmadopter]

They usually break during playing.

My teacher seems to do more performing than teaching, and he said he had managed before even when he did not have a piano at home.

If that's case, breaking during playing, I'd suggest that the hammers probably need voicing. When they get too hard and too wide a worn section that contacts the strings this can be one outcome. Along with a harsh sound.

[keys60]

Depending on where the break is on the string, it is common for a technician to splice the string. This avoids voicing problems. New strings tend to stand alone in tone and can be distracting. They usually break somewhere in the leader, the non vocal points around the pins or v bar. After splicing, you may get only 1.5-2 coils on the tuning pin, but so what. Its a quick and easy fix. Frustrating if never done before.