Grotrian Cymbalese

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Richard:

A very simplel test will show if the duplex contributes anything to the
sound. Apply masking tape or electrical tape over the strings in the duplex
section and you will see if either one of the sections dimishes the overall
tone.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Fri, 5 Nov 1999, Richard Brekne wrote:

> Hi list..
> 
> Ran into a Grotrian grand 7 footer about 20 years old yesterday. A bear
> to tune. Strings just would not render. A couple curious things on this
> thing. In the higher treble area I notice this strange duplexish sound
> on hard blows. Happens on all the higher notes. You play hard and you
> get this delayed cymbal kind of resound. Sounds sorta like those cymbals
> that have loose rivets insertet around the rim area. The sound starts
> about a second after playing the note, rises in intensity a bit and then
> slowly fades away. Very strange affect. I wonder if anyone has an
> explanation for this. There is no felt muting of any duplex section
> anywhere on the instrument.
> 
> On a second subject, something I have wondered about for some time....
> This Grotrian has what seems like a double front duplex in the tenor and
> treble. I have seen this on many older Grotrians. Two brass u bars after
> the aggraffes and the capo. One about an inch after string termination,
> then another about 3 inches further towards the strings. I am wondering
> if this could be the source of the rendering problem, and if there is
> any reason to think that replacing this second with a felt rest would
> improve the situation. Eventually what should be expected in terms of
> changing the sound characteristics when doing this. Seems unlikely that
> much sound contribution from this second area is present, but then the
> recent discussion on the so called rear duplex area has started me
> re-thinking these "quiet duplex" segments.
> 
> Richard Brekne
> I.C.P.T.G. N.P.T.F.
> Bergen, Norway
> 
> 
>