Rear Duplex

[Richard Brekne]

List..

Been reading through several posts written earlier which touch on
Backscale design, stringing proceedures, scale design and inharmonicity
problems. One thing that comes up is that the length between the back
termination point (for the non speaking length behind the bridge) and
the back bridge pin, is often refered to as the rear duplex. At the same
time it is stated in some of these posts something to the affect of
"there is no defined porportional relationship between the speaking
lenght and the length of the back scale (which seems to be the other
term used instead of rear duplex). My question is whether or not this
non speaking lenght should be considered as duplex at all. In most
pianos (my experience) it seems that plucking this area results in
almost no sustained tone, often not even a real tone but a kind of
deadish resemblance of tone. Compared to even subdued front duplexs I
cant see how this length of the string can contribute much (at least
directly) to the sound production. If it doesnt serve this purpose, why
is it called by many a "duplex" ??

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway