Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Does replacing string change tone colour?

My piano is Yamaha C3 made in 1996. If I replace just one note which is G#3 to roslau string, will be the note's tone colour different from neighbouring notes?

The buzzing sound happen from all three strings. So in my thinking , tuner will change change two strings , one string for G#3, one string for G3, the one string on G3 will be coupled with existing Yamaha string. Will be there any problem?

Does anyone have the experience in replacing just one note?

I asked the dealer if there would be any problem but he said roslau string is standard string and there would be no problem except it takes long time to settle.

As I know Yamaha use their own string , also it's all different depending on model and even different depending on the period the piano made.

Strings age (they get more dull over time), so unfortunately you may notice a difference.

Here's more info:
https://livingpianos.com/can-you-replace-just-one-piano-string/

You should ask that question on the Piano Technicians Forum.

For me, I probably wouldn't notice that much, especially if after the string was replaced, there was a little voicing in the hammer to fully match the tone. However, I realise that you are a highly sensitive person with a very sharp ear, and it may actually matter to you. I would ask this on the tuner forum as J & J says, and I would also ask your own technician about the possible outcomes.

Alter your repertoire to avoic G#3.

Roslau wire is metric so the string itself should match just fine. Treble wire really doesn't loose tone like bass strings do so that is not going to be an issue.

There are secondary elements that can affect a change in tone. If the spacing of the new wire is different than the old wire the tone can change because the hammer will strike on a different part of the crown. Other things like string level and contact with the bridge pin can come into play as well.

I have to say that I have never found a buzz coming from a string itself. Especially if it's all three strings. I don't think changing the strings is going to fix your problem.

Tony3304,

Can you provide a recording of this note also in comparison with other notes around it?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor

Greetings,
I have replaced hundreds of string over the years at a University. I have never observed that the plain steel wire strings deteriorate with age since I have put new wire in unisons, either one or two of the tri-chord, and there is no discernible difference in tone. Bass strings are a whole different story. They rely on soft copper to remain firmly wound on a plain wire core, and any corrosion, loosening, or contamination will usually kill them. I have seen old bass strings that still had some brilliance, but usually the higher partials go on vacation as the string gets old.
Regards,

I see that a recording is on the other thread. See my suggestion there.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor

Interesting, on my openback banjo I definitely notice a difference in tone after putting on new steel strings. Maybe it's because a wool hammer has a less percussive impact on the string than a pick.

My tech had said at one point that he'd prefer to change strings across an entire section but sometimes you'd have to replace just one out of necessity. This was when he was trying to show me how to touch up unisons and said, well, if I mess up the worst case is that we replace a string. I ended up being too paranoid to attempt it on my own.

Interesting, on my openback banjo I definitely notice a difference in tone after putting on new steel strings. Maybe it's because a wool hammer has a less percussive impact on the string than a pick.

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I notice that on guitar, examination of the strings shows fret wear, which is quite likely a factor in tonal loss. Metal picks can also leave their trail..... I can't imagine how it would help and I know it changes the spectra.
Regards, .

Ah that explanation makes sense!

I hear differences in new and old plain strings, but only if the original strings are very old. However, replacing a string will go out of tune more for the first year or two, which is annoying.