Piano string splicing 101

WATCH IN FULL SCREEN! The video gets cut off otherwise. A quick description of how to do a basic splice on a broken piano string. DO IT IN THIS ORDER: LOOP, HAPPY BEND, THREAD. LOOP, HAPPY BEND, THREAD. You'll be unhappy if you try to make both loops first!

[@pianotech4259]

sometimes this method very important, when bass string cracked

[@DUKEofWAIL]

I waatched in full screen. Did you notice the top of the screen cut off your hands and tool?

[@pianosintune]

H Eric. I was present in your SE Regional PTG Zoom presentation last night and found it very beneficial. So much that I was inspired to look up this string splicing video this morning. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

[@EricJohnsonA]

Thanks Rick! Glad its helpful and thanks for joining us last night.

[@StudioSooner]

thanks for making this! I have to do it this afternoon in the field.... loop, happy bend (45º) thread....got it...

[@erikdw2616]

Piano wire that's 20+ gauge in diameter is where it gets more challenging..

[@pianotech4259]

your videos useful

[@littleboy437]

I am a piano technician. This is the most confusing explanation I ever saw

[@EricJohnsonA]

Did you try it?

[@DionusiaKarageorge]

Hi there iam wondering from size 1 to size 26 which size is considered to be a medium gauge piano wire?

[@dm2012]

thank you for showing us the wire knotting . but I can not see it when you are knotting the wire because your tow hands is out of the camera .

[@EricJohnsonA]

I just have not gotten around to redoing the video but if you get round nose pliers and some piano wire you will see very quickly how to make the bend...it's very apparent once you know what the end result should look like.

[@TheMimerzz44]

Bends are out of frame. Too bad.

[@zooflute]

Goes off screen at a key moment alas

[@TheAngryAlbertan]

Where do you find those pliers?

[@EricJohnsonA]

I don't remember exactly where I got those, but they are used for jewelry. Google Round Nose pliers. You need kind of big ones for this work.

[@TheAngryAlbertan]

Thank you! I’ve always thought they were called “wire bending pliers.” No wonder I could never find them! Your description brought them right up! Thank you! I’ve been wanting a pair of these for years. I tried grinding down some needle nose pliers, but the real thing is better. Thanks again!

[@EricJohnsonA]

@@TheAngryAlbertan many of the ones sold are smaller than these...these don;t work for larger wire sizes or bass strings. I use vice grips for those. You can grab the tail with a vice grip and then make the loop WITHOUT going around the jaws, which would cause a square set of bends. With practice you can make the loop on the outside of the jaws (hard to explain, but try it). that keeps the look round.

[@TheAngryAlbertan]

Thank you sir!! My knipex pliers arrived today! Prettiest splices I’ve ever made!