Harp Column Blogs: Carl SwansonArchive

Here's a little tip that comes in handy.  If you want to remove a wire string from the tuning pin, say, to clean the tuning pin so it doesn't stick, or slip, you can do it and reuse the same wire string.  But you have to make sure the windings on the wire string go back on the tuning pin EXACTLY the same way they were before.

Start by unwinding the tuning pin just enough to loosen the windings of the wire string around the tuning pin.  Loosen the string enough so that you can remove the string from the tuning pin hole(you can use a pair of needle nose pliers to do this), but don't straighten out any of the curls in the wire string.  Remove the tuning pin and clean it.  If there is gunk on the tuning pin, scrape it with the edge of a file or screwdriver to knock the encrusted stuff off.  You could also use sandpaper or emery cloth to do this.  When you are done, put the tuning pin back in the neck and put the wire string back on the tuning pin in exactly the same configuration as it was before.  In other words, the windings of the string should curl around the tuning pin in the same way, and most importantly, the sharp bend in the string where it goes through the tuning pin should be in exactly the same place as before.  You can now tune the string up without it breaking.  The larger the string(i.e., the closer to the column) the more difficult it is to remove and reinstall the string.  On the last 5 strings(G & F6, and E,D, & C 7) you may have to loosen the string, then hammer the tip of the string back into the tuning pin hole.  One last tip.  You should cut your wire strings as close as possible to the tuning pin.  That way they won't tear up the inside of the cover.