14 best music wire

Music wire, often referred to as piano wire, is a type of high-carbon steel wire used primarily in the construction of musical instruments, particularly pianos and other keyboard instruments. It is also used in various other applications, including model making, springs, and even fishing lures. Here are some key points about music wire:

  1. Composition: Music wire is typically made from high-carbon steel, which gives it its strength and durability. This steel is known for its ability to maintain its shape and resilience even under tension.

  2. Diameter: The wire comes in various diameters, ranging from very thin to thicker gauges, depending on the instrument and its specific requirements. For example, thinner wire is used for the high-pitched strings in a piano, while thicker wire is used for the lower-pitched strings.

  3. Tensile Strength: Music wire is known for its high tensile strength, which allows it to withstand the tension required to produce musical notes.It is essential for maintaining the pitch and tone of the instrument.

  4. Coating: In some cases, music wire may be coated with materials such as copper or silver to enhance its corrosion resistance or alter its tonal characteristics.

  5. Musical Instruments: Apart from pianos, music wire is also used in other keyboard instruments like harpsichords and clavichords. Additionally, it can be found in various components of stringed instruments like guitars and violins.

  6. Model Making: Model builders often use music wire for creating various structural components, such as landing gear for model aircraft, or to add rigidity to small-scale structures.

  7. Springs: Due to its resilience and ability to withstand repeated bending, music wire is used in the manufacture of small springs found in a wide range of applications, from watches to automotive components.

  8. Fishing Lures: Some fishing lures utilize music wire for hooks due to its strength and the ability to maintain their shape when catching fish.

  9. Tuning: The thickness and tension of music wire are carefully adjusted during the manufacturing process to achieve the desired pitch and tone for each specific string on an instrument.

Music wire is a critical component in the world of musical instrument manufacturing, and its quality and consistency are essential for producing instruments with excellent sound quality and playability.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best music wire on the market
  

Precision Brand 21031 Music Wire, Steel Alloy, 0.031 in

Precision Brand

Based on 100 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Precision Brand® Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy. High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance. Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses. Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

  • Country Of Origin: Germany
  • Model Number: 21031
  • Item Package Dimension: 5.0" L x 5.0" W x 1.0" H
  • Item Package Weight: 1.1 lb

User questions & answers

Question: Seller: where is this made
Answer: It is tempered high carbon steel alloy, not SS.
Question: Is this wire stainless steel
Answer: Precision Brand wire will sell custom cut wire
Question: Do you sell custom cut wire, not spring wire but to use it in ornaments, for example: I need 200 pices of 12" x1/8" wire?. thanks
Answer: 328-363 ksi (min. – max.)
Question: What is the tensile strength of this wire
Answer: No...the bars are unfinished extrusions that are fairly smooth

Precision Brand 039-21063 Music Wire, 0.063″ Diameter, 1 lb. Coil, High Carbon, Spring Tempered, C1085 Steel, 293 KSI Min Tensile Strength, 324 KSI Max Tensile Strength

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy. High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance. Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses. Approximate feet per pound – 95. Tensile strength – 293-324 ksi (min. – max.). Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

  • High Carbon, Spring Tempered, C1085 Steel
  • High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance
  • Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses
  • Use pull-type dispenser box

K&S Precision Metals 5501 Music Wire.032" X 12" Long, 4 Pieces per Pack, Made in The USA

K&S

Based on 86 reviews Check latest price

Product description

For over 70 years, K&S has been a full-line metal specialist. We produce and supply the world with precise telescopic tubing, rods, strips, and sheets for a wide variety of projects from crafting to electrical uses. This package contains the following: . 032" X 12" Long (4 pieces per pack)

  • INCLUDES: 4 x . 032" Diameter Music Wire from K&S.
  • FEATURES: Ideal for a variety of uses such as crafts, jewelry, model cars, boats, trains, etc.
  • HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL:  Spring tempered, phosphate coated, carbon steel wire ASTM A232
  • SPECS: Length: 12" (305mm) Diameter: . 032" (0. 81mm)

User questions & answers

Question: would this wire be good for making springs
Answer: Music wire is a very hard wire,similar to the wire in a spring. It is also hard to cut.
Question: Does this wire bend? I am looking for a sturdy wire that won't bend but can be cut to size
Answer: It is 4 12" rods
Question: Is this 12" TOTAL with all 4 pieces (3" pieces), or 12" x 4 pieces? I am making a mobile for my grandson and don't need really short pieces
Answer: According to manufacturer, this wire is spring tempered, phosphate coated, carbon steel that meets ASTM standard A228. The phosphate coating will provide some rust resistance, but by itself it would not rust proof the wire for continuous wet or outdoor use. This is because phosphate coatings are usually microscopically porous and will allow some moisture to reach the steel.
Question: Is this wire surface treated (galvanized
Answer: Illinois.

High Carbon Steel Wire, Mill Finish #2B (Smooth) Finish, Grade #2B Smooth, Full Hard Temper, Meets ASTM A228 Specifications, 0.051" Diameter, 144' Length, Precision

Small Parts

Based on 69 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

  • Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy
  • High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance
  • Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses
  • Tensile strength - 303-333 ksi (min. - max.)
  • 1lb Coil

User questions & answers

Question: What is the specific type of steel usde in the manufacture of this wire? w1, 1095, ect
Answer: I have used it for building control rods on my mini rc planes. It’s bendable and has some “memory”, meaning that it will return to its original form, provided that the bending is not too sharp. It’s what is also called piano wire or spring wire. So definitely you can use it to build your own springs.

K & S PRECISION METALS 500 0.025" x 36" Music Wire (5 Pack)

K & S Precision Metals

Based on 20 reviews Check latest price

Product description

5 Pack, .025" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire.

  • 5 Pack, .025" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire
  • It is not hazardous
  • Manufactured in China

User questions & answers

Question: Does this offer include 25 pcs, each piece 36" long
Answer: It is 1080 steel.

High Carbon Steel Wire, Mill Finish #2B (Smooth) Finish, Grade #2B Smooth, Full Hard Temper, Meets ASTM A228 Specifications, 0.035" Diameter, 306' Length, Precision

Precision Brand Products, Inc.

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

  • Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy
  • High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance
  • Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses
  • Tensile strength - 324-354 ksi (min. - max.)
  • 1lb Coil

K & S PRECISION METALS 499 0.020" x 36" Music Wire (5 Pack)

K & S Precision Metals

Based on 22 reviews Check latest price

Product description

5 Pack, .020" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire.

  • 5 Pack, .020" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire
  • It is not hazardous
  • Manufactured in China

User questions & answers

Question: Do you have combined shipping rates
Answer: Piano wire is not like "spooled" wire. The wire is straight without a "memory." Depending on the guage (thickness) of the wire it will require tools to bend and once bent it will hold the shape.
Question: Does this wire hold its shape or does it have some spring to it
Answer: I actually had an issue here and had to file a claim. I assumed it was 25 pieces because they used TH photo but when the order came it was only 5 pieces.

K & S PRECISION METALS 497 0.039" x 36" Music Wire (4 Pack)

K & S Precision Metals

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Product description

4 pack, .039" OD x 36" length, music wire.

  • 4 pack, .039" OD x 36" length, music wire
  • It is not hazardous
  • Manufactured in China

User questions & answers

Question: Is this four 36” lengths, or 36” total length
Answer: We offer free shipping. Thank you.

Precision Brand 039-21216 0.016″ Diameter Music Wire, 1/4 lb. Coil, High Carbon, Spring Tempered, C1085 Steel, 362 KSI Min Tensile Strength, 400 KSI Max Tensile Strength

Precision Brand

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy. High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance. Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses. Approximate feet per pound – 1,464. Tensile strength – 362-400 ksi (min. – max.). Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

Precision Brand 039-21045 Music Wire, 0.045″ Diameter, 1 lb. Coil, High Carbon, Spring Tempered, C1085 Steel, 309 KSI Min Tensile Strength, 342 KSI Max Tensile Strength

Precision Brand

Based on 6 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy. High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance. Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses. Approximate feet per pound – 185. Tensile strength – 309-342 ksi (min. – max.). Packaged wire is shrink wrapped, bar coded, and packaged in an easy to use pull-type dispenser box.

Music Wire 36",.032,1/32"

K & S

Based on 46 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This spring-tempered wire is used for control linkages, ceramic cutting, armature binding, wire forms, springs, wire forms and other industrial uses. It features spring steel construction for full hardness, smooth finish and excellent corrosion resistance.

  • .032 inch thickness x 36 inch length
  • Stiff, springy hobby wire that holds a bend
  • Made of spring steel

User questions & answers

Question: How many rods come in an order and what length? All reviews are 3+ years old and does not specify in description
Answer: When I purchased the product there were three (3) wires in the package.
Question: How many wires are in each package
Answer: NO. As of 6/2/16 they only sent 4 per order. Not a good deal, and the indication that they will send 20 is misleading.
Question: Is this price for 20 wires
Answer: I received my order a few days ago. 6/2/16. Only 4 pieces per order. There are much cheaper solutions available for my needs. It would have been a good deal if it contained 20 pieces. With 4 pieces, not so much.
Question: This is for 20 pieces right? Just making sure since last time I ordered it was for 4 pieces and costed more
Answer: 4 pieces of 36” each

Product features

Variety Of Sizes

K&S Metals offers a wide variety of sizes to suit your specific project!

Variety Of Uses

  • Hobby/Craft
  • Home Improvement/DIY
  • Electrical
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Static Models
  • Puppetry
  • Prototyping and more!

High Carbon Steel Wire, #2B (Smooth) Finish, Full Hard Temper, ASTM A228, 0.080" Diameter, 14' Length, Precision Tolerance

Precision Brand Products, Inc.

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Packaged wire is shrink wrapped and bar coded.

  • Precision Brand Music Wire is spring tempered and made from high carbon steel alloy
  • High tensile strength and high fatigue resistance
  • Applications include springs, wire forms, control linkages, armature binding, ceramic cutting, and a variety of industrial uses
  • Tensile strength - 282-312 ksi (min. - max.)
  • 1/4 lb Coil

User questions & answers

Question: How hard is this? Can it be molded using a wire jig
Answer: There are four pieces of wire and each one is 36 inches long.

K & S PRECISION METALS 505 0.078" x 36" Music Wire (3 Pack)

Based on 24 reviews Check latest price

Product description

3 Pack, .078" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire.

  • 3 Pack, .078" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire
  • It is not hazardous
  • Manufactured in China

User questions & answers

Question: how many total wires are being purchased
Answer: You can definitely mold it

Music Wire .015x36" - Bundle of 5 wires

K & S Precision Metals

Based on 26 reviews Check latest price

Product description

5 Pack, .015" OD x 36" Length, Music Wire.

  • Bundle includes .015x36" music wires

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