C3130.81HzStuart M19,STU C3130.81Hz Steinway STE
PAULELLO / M   ROSLAU  
M trichord   Trichord  
Length: 1246.0 mm Length: 1287.5 mm
Cor dia: 1.125 mm Cor dia: 1.125 mm
Tension 84.4266 kg
827.9 N
Tension 90.1442kg
884 N
Nominal breaking load 2287.5 N/mm² Theoretical breaking point 2147 N/mm²
Yield 48.39% Yield 40.1%
C3 String Scale Table 1.6

The combinations of string length and string wire ‘hardness’ affect the amount of movement generated in the bridge and soundboard by the string vibration. This influences tonal colour.The piano maker therefore adjusts combinations of length and hardness in the string to achieve the required tonal colour.

Tonal balance and sustain are the main differences between Röslau wire and Paulello wire. 139

This comparison of Roslau and Paulello music wires, at C3 130.81 Hz, is centred on the tonal differences, which are influenced by the hardness and tensile strength of the two wires, the ‘M’ Paulello string having the higher tensile strength.

C4 String Scaling

The Paulello/Stuart string is 1.5mm longer the Roslau/Steinway, and is set at 3.5kg higher tension. The diameter of the Paulello/Stuart wire is 25mm thicker than the Roslau/Steinway wire. The tensile strength of the Paulello/Stuart wire is 177 N/mm² higher.

C4261.63HzStuart M19,STU C4261.63Hz Steinway STE
PAULELLO / M   ROSLAU  
M trichord   Trichord  
Length: 659.0 mm Length: 660.5 mm
Cor dia: 1.050 mm Cor dia: 1.025 mm
Tension 82.2901kg
812.42 N
Tension 78.7756kg
772.5N
Nominal breaking load 2009 N/mm² Nominal breaking load 1832 N/mm²
Yield 52.92 Yield 56.52%
C4 String Scale Table 1.7

139Stephen Paulello, email interview with author ,14th April, 2014.

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