Andrew
Victor
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(4/5/01 5:42:59 pm)
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Re:
Changing my first string
Erika, When you buy a new A string,
buy two. That way if you break the first one, at least you have a
backup.
The A strings break the most easily on cello, and I
suspect more break when first being put on than at any other time -
especially if they are made of steel. (Fifty years ago, I used bare
gut A strings and broke one a week - they just wore out, I guess I
practiced too much.)
Look at how the other strings are wound
on their pegs. After you insert the A string in the peg hole, wind
it so the windings will keep the leader from slipping out. You
should keep a leader that is about one peg diameter to wind the
windings over (roughly stated - it really doesn't matter as long as
some of the winding goes over the leader). Wind so that the string
windings are going in the direction of the peg side of the peg box.
At some point you have to also insert the other end of the string at
the fine tuner in the tailpiece (I'm assuming you are using a fine
tuner).
Once the string starts to snug up so that you hear a
sound when you pluck it. (AND KEEP PLUCKING IT ALL THE TIME!) You
must tighten the peg carefully (slowly!) - but first loosen the fine
tuner all the way so that you can do the final tightening with it.
Slowly tune up the peg. Tightening one string tends to make the
others less tense so it is an iterative process - especially with a
new string - but eventually you will get them all in tune. Sometimes
it's not a bad idea to tune up the whole cello a bit flat and then
bring it all up the last half tone or so. Changing a string is a
good time to use peg dope ("compound") on pegs that have either been
slipping or too tight.
After you have tuned the strings and
one is out of tune, always loosen the peg BEFORE tightening it so
you don't overtighten. That's what breaks strings.
Good
Luck
Andy
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