Piano Agraffe Breakage

What Is an Agraffe?

An agraffe is a solid brass piano component made up of a head and a threaded stem (see fig. 1). Positioned in front of the piano’s tuning pins, agraffes are typically present only in the bass and tenor sections of pianos, with one agraffe per note. As such, most pianos have around 50 agraffes. Each agraffe head contains beveled string holes, the number of which corresponds to the number of strings installed for the respective note. This design creates a sharp termination point for the strings, allowing them to vibrate properly.

Monochord, bichord, and trichord agraffes with head and stem labeled

Fig. 1 monochord, bichord, and trichord agraffes, respectively.

Fig. 2 visual representation of one string in the piano demonstrating location of agraffe

Agraffe Breakage

Agraffe breakage can happen at any time, although it most often occurs while the piano is being played or tuned. Breaks are not the fault of the pianist or tuner.

Agraffes usually break at the point where the stem meets the head. If the brass in this area becomes compromised, the force of the string(s) pulling against the agraffe can cause it to abruptly break in two, accompanied by an abrupt, loud noise. Once an agraffe has broken, the note will produce a “thuddy” dead tone when the key is struck. Until the agraffe

is replaced, the corresponding note will be unplayable.

While there are no preventative measures that can keep a piano’s existing agraffes from breaking, if a piano is to be rebuilt or restrung, it is crucial that original agraffes are replaced to reduce the risk of potential future breakage. This is particularly important when the specific make, model, or era of piano is known for breaking agraffes, or the piano shows signs of previously replaced agraffes.

A broken trichord agraffe with a separated head and stem.

Agraffe breakage typically occurs for one of the following reasons:

Poor Agraffe Design

During certain eras, some piano manufacturers designed agraffes poorly, with stems not threaded all the way up to the base of the head, or too sharp an angle between the stem and head. These inferior designs created a predisposition for agraffe breakage over time.

Improper Installation

Occasionally, agraffes are overturned during installation to achieve proper alignment with strings. Overturning compromises the brass where the stem meets the head, which can lead to agraffe breakage, sometimes many decades later.

Cats or Rodents

Cat or rodent urine on agraffes can cause oxidation and compromise their structural integrity.

Agraffe Replacement

The only solution for a broken agraffe is to replace it. Agraffe replacement involves extracting the broken agraffe stem from the cast-iron plate, installing a new agraffe and then re-stringing the note. If your piano has a broken agraffe, contact Brad Fant Piano Service to schedule the necessary repairs.

A broken trichord agraffe before repair (left) and a replacement trichord agraffe installed (right).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas do you service?

We service the area denoted in green on the map below. This includes, but is not limited to: Ballantyne, Carmel, Dilworth, Matthews, Myers Park, Quail Hollow, South End, and SouthPark. Please contact us by phone at 704-593-6741 or by email at bradfantpianos@gmail.com to inquire about special accommodations.
How often do I need to have my piano tuned? Why does it go out of tune?

Generally, pianos should be tuned every 6 months, even if they are not being played regularly. Pianos on the concert stage, in recording studios, or in schools may require more frequent tuning and attention. The piano's main structure and soundboard are both made of wood, which expand and contract with climate change and humidity variation. Fluctuations in the wood net an out of tune piano. It is especially important to tune new pianos several times during their first few years to ensure that the string tension and piano structure reach a stable equilibrium. For more information about tuning, please see here.
What is a "pitch raise?"

All modern pianos are designed to be tuned and sound their best at "standard pitch," where A4=440 Hz (A above middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second). If a piano has not been tuned for an extended period of time (over ~12 months), has been through extreme climate fluctuations, or has been moved, the overall pitch of the piano may be significantly higher or lower than standard pitch. In this situation, the piano will require a pitch adjustment or "pitch raise" to bring the piano’s combined string tension back into a normal range before a standard fine tuning can be performed. A pitch raise and fine tuning are typically performed in the same service appointment, but in very extreme cases, where multiple pitch raises are necessary, a second appointment may be necessary. The need for a pitch raise cannot be determined without assessing the piano in person. For more information about pitch raises, please see here.
I'm moving. How can I move my piano safely and when should I have it tuned?

Moving your piano shouldn't be stressful and you most definitely should not attempt to move it yourself. Hire an insured piano mover, not just any mover! The piano is a fragile instrument and permanent damage can easily be done by an inexperienced mover. Please feel free to reach out if you would like a referral. It's generally recommended to wait about one month after your move to tune the piano, allowing it to acclimate to the new location. This will net a more stable tuning than had it been tuned immediately.
Do you repair digital pianos and keyboards?

We do not service or repair digital pianos/keyboards, and recommend contacting your instrument's manufacturer for a referral to a certified service center: Alesis Casio Kawai Korg Roland Suzuki Yamaha
What is a RPT (Registered Piano Technician)?

The Piano Technicians Guild is a nonprofit organization that regulates the trade of piano technology. A RPT is a piano technician who has undergone and passed tuning, technical, and written exams according the the Piano Technicians Guild standards. The Registered Piano Technician certification is the only official guild certification for piano technicians in the United States. For more information about Registered Piano Technicians, please see here.
What type of payments do you accept?

Accepted forms of payment include: paper check, cash, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay, and all major credit and debit cards. For more information about payments, please see here.