The excellent article in question was by Jim Ellis, RPT in the December 1997 Journal "Bridle Strap Function" pp 17-20. This article was written partly to rebut the assertation I made in an article in the August 1997 Journal that the sole function of bridle straps (in modern pianos) was to keep the jack from slipping under the hammer butt felt and becoming lodged when the action was removed from the piano. Jim Ellis proved conclusively using a fairly sophisticated measuring apparatus that hammer return time is greatly improved with bridle straps engaged verses disengaged. This follows from the 'Father of the Bridle Strap" Robert Wornum, who patented the 'tape check action' for a vertical piano in 1826. There is no hammer return spring in his action. the strap provided the physical return force, after hammer rebound, of course. (Some of this I knew, but this is paraphrased from Jims article) One of the main thrusts of Jims article is the current PTG teaching, through PACE and through the written exam questions stresses the 'correct' answer to bridle strap function is what I originally stated, and ther is no effect on hammer return. Through a fairly elaborate electronic measuring apparatus, Jim got differences in hammer return time of 35 to 63 milliseconds on various pianos with the bridle strap disengaged. Clearly this makes hammer repetition a big part of the strap's function. Time to revise the teaching!! As for procedure on installing them, check out my article online at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/atonal/bstrap.html If the first image loads over the text, hit the 'reload' button on your browser. > Dave wrote: > What the bridal strap is there for. > > > Besides helping to keep the jacks from not dropping down far enough to make > action installation back into the piano difficult they also help in hammer > return as mentioned in a Journal article. I can't remember the author > though I do remember him winning an award for said article at the RI > National Convention. Excellent article. > Sincerely, > Doug Mahard, Associate Member > Regards, Rob Kiddell RPT Atonal Piano Service http://www.telusplanet.net/public/atonal/
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