Ladies and Gentlemen, Last night I eagerly opened the large box from Pianotek Supply Co., and reverently opened the little box containing my new Lowell Component Downbearing Gauge. Today, eager to learn to use my new tool, I took some measurements of downbearing on a customer's grand piano. Here are the measurements. Note Rear downbearing Front downbearing Tail length B0 -.027" +.021" 3" B1 +.003" +.021" 3 3/4" E2 +.024" +.030" 4" A2 +.036 +.033" 4 1/2" D4 0.0 +.006" 4" C#5 +.010" +.015" 3 3/4" E5 +.012" +.009" 3 1/2" F#6 +.015" +.006" 2" A6 +.015" +.015" 2" F7 +.003" +.003" 2" C8 +.005" Couldn't measure 1" I am confident of the numbers, because I double checked, but I can't guarantee that I put the + or - sign correctly in front of the numbers. The piano in question is a nondescript 5'6" 1928 Kurtzman grand locally rebuilt 2 years ago with soundboard shims, a new bass bridge, treble bridge repairs, a new pinblock and tuning pins and strings, and new hammers. At the time I first saw it I was very impressed with the work. But since then, tone problems have been plaguing this piano. I am wondering if these tone problems can be solved by more regulation and voicing. Or is it possible that no matter what I do, the tone will never improve because of downbearing problems? I don't know how to interpret the results of my measurements. Some of the numbers seem to be off a bit. If you feel like answering, help is appreciated! Sincerely, David A. Vanderhoofven, RPT #pianotech page: http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/ircpiano.html New web page for the Joplin Community Concert Association http://www.concerts.joplin.com
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