At 09:10 AM 2/5/96 -0700, you wrote: >> When >>I went over to the long side of the case and lightly rested my fingers on >>it, I could feel the entire case vibrating from just that one string! Even >>though that was 20-25 years ago, I can still remember the feeling of awe >>I experienced as I listened to that piano sing. It was my first introduction >>to a truly great piano. Try this test. The next time you see a Samick, have >>someone play a 7-8 note chord and hold it down. Now lightly rest your fin- >>gers on the long side of the case. What do you feel? Nothing, nada, zip. >>The truth is that junk woods don't sing. > >You've listed two possibilities -- I think there are three, which have to do >with the impedance of the rim. 1) Impedance close to that of the soundboard: >The case can resonate at musical frequencies, becoming part of the sound >transducer. This is a more European approach, made for smaller concert halls >with more reflective walls. 2) The case can absorb and dissipate energy >quickly (low impedance: imagine a rim made of pillows), which is what you are >concerned about. 3) The rim can reflect energy back into the board (high >impedance), which is what Steinway and others with dense maple rims are >shooting for, in hopes of greater power and sustain. > >I don't think a resonant rim is necessarily a sign of a great piano -- just a >different approach to design for different conditions. > >Bob Davis > Bob, I must respectfully demurr. While the impedence you mention is true for Bosendorfer, it is not the case for Bechstein, Bluthner, or Grotrian - just to mention a few. Further, instruments that resonate in all respects, IMO tend to project better than those that do not. In this respect, the Bosendorfer is the clear exception. Best, Horace _________________________________________________________________________ Horace Greeley, RPT 14 Pyxie Lane Piano Technician & Consultant San Carlos, CA 94070-1506 The Colburn School of Performing Arts 415.592.6620 Los Angeles, CA horace@compadept.com _________________________________________________________________________
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