Horace Greeley wrote: > Del, > > I absolutely agree. > > That's why I said "relatively minute". Like so much else in this > work, one thing may serve several purposes. I should note that > common practice (in some circles) when installing a "CountryMan" > pickup was the removal of both the bell bolt and the screwed down > strut. I do not ever remember an instrument in which this made an > appreciable difference in net tone. > > Also, I picked up this habit from an old S&S frog, as well as Keith > Hardesty and Leonard Jared. Having used it as a process for > some time now, I can relate no broken plates, and many, many > "improved" instruments. > > On the other hand, as noted above, I completely concur with your > structural analysis. > > Best! > > Horace -------------------------------------------------------- Horace, Often there won't be much difference in tone either with or without the bell & bolt. Other times there will be significant difference in sustain -- there will be longer sustain with the b&b in place than there will be with it missing. I suspect -- though I've done no testing at all on this -- the difference comes from the particular arrangement used with the rear bearing bar, i.e., the length of the back scale. It is not a structural piece so there will be no damage to the plate if it is removed. There could be if the bolt were over tightened, I suppose, but you'd have to be really aggressive to get the bolt that tight. Regards, Del
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