Making of a copper wound bass string by Billy at Humphrey Lees in Canterbury UK

Many thanks to Billy for allowing me to make this video.
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[@unequally-tempered]

How wonderful to know that there's a string-maker local to us in Kent! Really helpful - thank you so much.

[@James_Bowie]

Very interesting, thank you. 👍
That tray full of copper wire offcuts on the floor shows that it's not Billy's first rodeo.

[@paulmccloud]

Across the pond, here in the USA, we generally only twist bichord strings one turn. Too many turns can deaden the sound. It also depends upon the string maker. Some require no turn at all, just put it straight on. I use a string coil winder to make the coil, then remove it from the tool and place over the tuning pin. Insert the becket, and tighten. Using the coil maker, you don't have to back out the tuning pin more than one turn, and the pin remains tight.

[@RobertsPianos]

Thanks for that thoughtful comment Paul. We agree completely with this process. Marcus

[@lexingtonsmp]

Paul, are you capable of making an experimental set of guitar strings at your shop? I'm searching for a string machinist in the US.

[@paulmccloud]

@@lexingtonsmp I usually use Mapes in Tennessee, at least for piano strings. I don't make them myself.

[@matiasparisi5157]

Excellent video, thank you so much for sharing. Lovely Knight Upright Piano!

[@RobertsPianos]

Thanks for commenting Matias and for tuning the piano too! Marcus

[@-PianoSheetMusic-]

Thanks Buddy!! Good video!! Good Tutorial!

[@saveriosalerno9232]

VERY VERY GOOD!!

[@peterbabu936]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@rogercarroll2551]

Many thanks for this. Fascinating process.

[@CrownHymn]

I was tuning a friend's piano and had a bass string snap I ordered a replacement bass string from Humphrey Lees. It came (with German eye) and worked a treat. This video helped me to fit it! Thank you Marcus and Billy!

[@mrcneale]

Really interesting video as always Marcus.
How many craftsmen/women like Billy are there in the UK, who could make a new string?

[@Freewheal]

Quite a few: EKA early instrument specialists; Deben Wire - Suffolk, who I use; Phil Taylor, Mansfield area ...

[@johnbrereton5229]

​@@Freewheal
Also S. Parke and Co in Dorset and Barny Unwin Piano Strings who's address is online.

[@skinnyfletcher290]

Nice to see started working in string making for bentley pianos and first job straighten string wire and makeing eyes used a pair of pliers with a hole in the claws hard not to snap smaller gauge strings .and love the knight we to over knights i the late 80s early 90s they are quality pianos

[@michaelgamble296]

I noticed the new hitch-loop is backwards to the other strings. I don't think you noticed that! A rather 'widdershins error'

[@humphreylees9609]

I should have remade that machine many years ago.

[@RobertsPianos]

Hello Humphrey! It's good to hear from you; I hope you're OK with the video. I thought the machine worked fine and Billy was very professional and efficient. I would also like to remake the video as his voice is a bit quiet. Thanks for all your service over the years. Marcus

[@user-kz5lp4po3w]

Are you teaching.for this matter ?
thanks

[@DaraM73]

What about the burnished cone on the copper coil? Does it make it more likely to unwind in future if it isn’t present?

[@RobertsPianos]

Thank you for your question. From our experience the copper never unwinds on any of the wires; the only thing that sometimes happens is that they fray at the end if sanded, so care needs to be taken when cleaning them. Marcus