Hallet & Davis agraffe bridge

[A440A]

In a message dated 3/18/98 9:21:50 AM, you wrote:

<<. He has seen 
it already, and says that the soundboard is for all intents, flat. 
Due to the poor condition of the bass strings & hammers, he can't 
tell if this no-crown condition is affecting the instrument, or is 
even normal, due to the fact the strings bear negatively through the 
agraffes on the bridge.
>>

     The soundboard is supposed to be flat. The agraffes on the bridge in the
Hallet and Davis configuration alternate the bearing.  One goes up, the next
goes down.  This makes for a very rigid bridge, allowing (theoretically) the
soundboard to be very unstressed, and free to vibrate.  Take a few good
hammers, and replace some in the piano. You may be surprised to hear a lot of
tone. 
Good luck, 
Ed Foote