88 note pianos -Reply

[rhohf@eagle.idcnet.com]

Larry-

The principles of impedence dictate that increase in sustain is accompanied by
decrease in volume.  Did you notice this after the weighting?

Bob Hohf
Wisconsin

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Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 16:49:26 -0700 (MST)
From: PianoBook@aol.com
Return-Path: pianotech@byu.edu
Subject: Re: 88 note pianos -Reply
To: Multiple recipients of list <pianotech@byu.edu>

In a message dated 96-03-16 07:01:28 EST, you write:

>I wonder if anyone has tried "weighting" the high treble end of the
>bridge--maybe it would improve tone there, too?
>
>

In the late '70s, I did some work with a rebuilder -- no longer in the
business -- who experimented with loading the bridge in the fifth or sixth
octave -- the place where sustain is so critical and often lacking.  The
experiments were on rebuilt Steinways.  I helped him make audio recordings of
the before and after.  He would melt key leads and fashion them into small
cylinders, about 8 or 10 ozs. in weight, drill a hole through the middle for
a long screw, and attach one on the underside of the soundboard into the
bridge in the area where sustain was deficient.  The difference it made was
astounding.  Sometimes the sustain was so good, the piano wouldn't shut up
and the tone would become muddy.  Other times it was just right.  I believe
he started the process of taking out a patent on it, but never followed
through.  A few years later, as noted in other posts, Baldwin attached a lead
weight to the bass bridge of its 52" upright.

Not really about 88 vs. 85 notes, but I thought someone might find this
interesting

Larry Fine



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