You will, of course, have to take out the action; not the key-board, however, unless it be one of those rare cases where the key-board and upper action are built to come out together.  In the square it is only necessary to remove the shade over the dampers, and the dampers, which are all removed easily by taking out the screw at the left.  This allows the whole set of dampers with their support to come out together.

Treble strings are nearly always passed around the hitch-pin, one wire thus forming two strings.  Take out the old string, noticing how it passes over and under the felt at the dead end.  After removing the string always give the pin about three turns backward to draw it out sufficiently so that when a new string is put on, the pin will turn into the block as far as it did originally.  Run one end of the string barely through the hole in the tuning pin and turn it about twice around, taking pains that the coils lie closely; then unwind enough wire (of the same size of course) from your supply to reach down to the hitch pin and back.  Place the string on the bridge pins properly, draw it as tight as you can by hand and cut it off about three fingers’ width beyond the pin upon which it is to be wound.  This will make about three coils around the pin.  Place the end in the hole and turn up gradually, watching that the string is clear down on hitch pin and properly laid on the bridge.  New strings will require drawing up two or three times before they will stand in tune, and even then they will run down in a short time.  It is well on this account to leave them slightly sharp, calling the owner’s attention to the fact.

[Illustration:  KNOT FOR SPLICING WIRE.]

When a bass string breaks at the point where it starts around the tuning pin, it can nearly always be spliced and the trouble of sending it away to have a new one made be avoided.  Take a piece of new wire as large or larger than the old string and splice it to the broken end by a good secure knot.  A knot called the square or ruft knot is the best for this purpose.  When a bass string breaks too far from the pin to permit of a splice, the only resort will be to send the broken string to some factory and have a new one made from it.

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XV.

    1.  Name the advantages and disadvantages of system A.

    2.  Name the advantages and disadvantages of system B.

    3.  What are the important points to be desired in any system of
    setting temperament?

    4.  State three or four items of importance in the operation of
    putting on a new string.

    5.  Why do pianos get out of tune?

LESSON XVI.

TUNING AND REPAIRING THE REED ORGAN.