Hi Andrew I get the sense you are trying to set the tension on the back length outside of what its actual length allows for given the pitch you want for the speaking lengths. IHMO there is quite a bit less actually known and shown to be true about what the back duplex length does and doesn't then there is opinion. And much of the opinion out there strikes me as plagued with self contradiction. So I suggest just keep experimenting on your own and keep asking yourself questions. A bit of experimenting I've done shows more to my own satisfaction that the pitch of the back lengths relative to the speaking length most definitely can have an impact on the overall sound, and that the back length tension (if well within tension parameters for the string as a whole) remains quite stable when adjusted... more so seemingly then the speaking length... which strikes me as odd. This said.. I've no hard data and complete objective study to back this up with, which puts my observations in the category of casual at this point. Still, seems pretty clear to me that there is potential for adjusting the overall sound picture of the instrument here. You can pretty easily find out what the back length with tolerate (with regards to stability) by making large changes in the speaking length tension. Just check before and after status of the pitch in the back length to see when it changes. Large changes in the speaking tension can have negative impacts (wear and tear) on the front termination tho... so I wouldn't advise making a general practice of that. Cheers RicB Continuing this thread... I checked a Steinway D at one school and the rear duplex was tuned to the speaking length fundamental for the last few notes. At another school the rear duplex ranged from a minor 2nd to a major second for those same last few notes. I tried tuning them and managed to pull the major second one down to a 1/4 tone sharp after tuning the speaking length. It wouldn't stay down and I'm wondering about stability for the speaking length now. I'm guessing this one is going to need some moving to tune a little closer. Observations? Andrew Anderson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/20070901/58ded2d9/attachment.html
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