I would think that Reyburns Cybertuner could show the before and after effects of tuning the duplex on a note? David I. *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 10/26/01 at 9:36 AM Delwin D Fandrich wrote: >----- Original Message ----- >From: <Duplexdan@AOL.COM> >To: <pianotech@ptg.org> >Sent: October 25, 2001 11:14 PM >Subject: Re: Duplex > > >> Dear Dave, >> >> Does the Baldwin have a Duplex Scale? > >As currently designed and built, all grand pianos have what can be called a >duplex scale. The phrase comes from the Latin 'duplex,' literally >"twofold," >from plicare "to fold." The question is, is the length of the duplex >specifically and intentionally tuned to some partial of the fundamental >string length? > > > >> Old Baldwins were made with triangular shaped oliquots, before the >acu-just >> system went into effect. All of these vintage pianos with adjustable >oliquots >> were designed to have a specific duplex scale tone that coordinated with >the >> tone of the speaking length. The moveablility of these oliquots was >> incorporated to allow for this tuning process. > >Earlier Baldwin's had the back string rests pinned to a hole drilled in the >plate. They are not movable. The change was made as much for cost-cutting >reasons as to allow for 'tuning' them. There is no evidence that tuning the >back scale with these string rests improved the performance of the piano, >hence the subsequent change to the fixed vertical hitches. > > > >> Tuning the duplex scale of any and all of these pianos can unquestionably >> improve the tone of the piano in particular regard to the quality of tone >and >> the sustain. > >Oh, I think there is considerable question about this. My own actual >measurements revealed a slight increase in power at the affected >frequencies >during the initial attack period and immediately following but this was >followed by a decrease in sustain as the energy coupled to the tuned >duplex--the aliquot part--was (presumably) absorbed into the plate. >Experientially, the tuned duplex system has also proven to be the cause of >much unwanted string noise. > >It seems to boil down to a choice: with the tuned duplex system you might >get a slight increase in initial attack volume at certain harmonics. In >exchange you will have slightly shorter sustain and the increased >probability of string noises. Or, you can design the soundboard such that >sustain time is not--and does not quickly become--a serious problem and >forget about the tuned duplex system and its attendent string noise >problems. Personally, I prefer the latter approach. > > > >> May I remind you that this is not my idea; it is, was and always will be >CF T >> Steinway's, who has the original patent, 126848. > >What can I say? Lots and lots has been learned about the piano and its >design since old CFT sat in front of a drafting table. Smart as he was, he >wasn't perfect. Nor was the piano he created (in spite of the claim of >certain of his descendents). It was--or should have been--just one stepping >stone on the path, albeit a significant one. If our industry is to survive, >however, we must learn from both his experience and our own and then go on >from there. > >Del
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