----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Birkett" <birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: December 02, 2001 9:13 AM Subject: Re: Flatstrung vs straightstrung > > It's a bit of a moot point really. Straight-strung is one of those terms > that has stuck and we have to live with. If it comes down to it > "cross-strung" isn't really the most descriptive for the modern-type of > stringband arrangement, but there is the better alternative for that - > over-strung. I know, Stephen, I know. I realize I'm probably not going to change much, but for myself I can at least try to use words that are more accurate and descriptive. > > In point of fact very few so-called straight-strung pianos actually have > parallel stringing throughout the stringband. The norm even for 5-octave > 18th Century pianos was to angle the bass strings in at the bridge end, > causing a compressed stringband for an octave or so. Historical makers > were quite aware of the need to maintain board flexibility and to keep > the bridge away from the rim. The only piano I've come across that was truly 'straight-strung' was a Broadwood from whenever. All the other flat-strung pianos I've encountered have angled their strings toward the right some. Del
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