knots

How to Splice Piano Wire

Replacing a piano string is not as simple as it first seems.  New piano strings are very unstable and need time to stretch before they will hold a pitch for an extended period of time.  Often times, a new string will require upwards of five or six tunings before it is acceptably stable.

Because of this, it is often a better idea to splice a broken string rather than replace it completely.  This is especially true for wound bass strings which are both more expensive and have greater tonal variation than plain gauge strings.

Strings will almost always break near the tuning pin or the hitch pin.  I have never seen a string break in the middle.  This is helpful because it means that we can remove the short piece of the broken string and tie in a piece of new piano wire.  This new length of wire will stretch just like a full new string would, but since the stretch will be limited to a short section it might only take one or two tunings to stabilize.

To splice a wire, we will use the piano tuner's knot.  This knot is very simple, however it can be a bit difficult to actually tie due to the stiffness of piano wire.

Photo Dec 20, 12 54 04 PM.jpg

To begin, make a clockwise loop in the lower wire.  Be sure that the working end of the wire passes underneath the standing part of the wire.

Photo Dec 20, 1 36 45 PM.jpg

Next, make a counter-clockwise loop in the upper wire.  Again, be sure that the working end passes underneath the standing end.

Photo Dec 20, 1 39 03 PM.jpg

In the lower wire, fold the loop 90 degrees downward, so that the tip of the wire is inside of the bend.

Photo Dec 20, 1 39 25 PM.jpg

Hold the upper wire across the lower wire with the end pointing upwards.

Photo Dec 20, 2 10 00 PM.jpg

Pull the upper wire across to interlock the upper wire loop with the standing part of the lower wire.

Photo Dec 20, 1 40 38 PM.jpg

Rotate the upper wire so that tips of the two wires are pointing in opposite directions.

Photo Dec 20, 1 41 12 PM.jpg

Bend the upper wire in order to feed the standing end through the loop of the lower wire.

Photo Dec 20, 1 42 32 PM.jpg

That is the piano tuner's knot!  When this knot it pulled tight during tuning, the two loops will lock against each other and hold tension.

When tying this knot in a piano, you want the knot to end up in a location where it wont be touching anything (i.e. the plate, tuning pins, other strings).  Sometimes it might take a few tries to get the knot to be in an acceptable location.

Recent Blog Posts


See more of my blog posts here

Hello There! Don't Leave Just Yet!

I provide piano repair information on my blog and through email correspondence free of charge because I like to help people learn about pianos. However, it does take up a significant amount of my time. So, if you are so inclined, you can click the button below to help supply my caffeine habit and show your appreciation for my work. Thank you!

Buy me a matcha latteBuy me a matcha latte

Or Send Bitcoin! bc1q4tz3qzp6a6zeduqema3v6s0vnrhst4zwy4wtp9