Bergman Baby Grands

[Lee Sankey]

It's really quite simple. The Chinese copy the Koreans who copy the Japanese who
copy Steinway. And with regard to duplex scaling it is a matter of theory when it
comes to Steinway. In order for the duplex scale to work everything has to be as
designed but in production this is more accidental than planned. The duplex bars
must be precisely positioned to accomplish their purpose but rarely achieve  that
end in production. Mason & Hamlin, and perhaps some others,  had moveable
aliquots positioned between the rear bridge pin and the hitch pin that would
"tune" that section so that it could be articulated by sympathetic partials from
other frequencies within their particular harmonic structure. This requires great
skill when the individual piano is produced since this is an extremely critical
placement with each individual string. Steinway, in an effort to simplify the
process,  created the aliquot bar ( aka duplex bar) that projected the
theoretical position to produce the desired effect. Those who copy this concept
seemingly stick these bars wherever and hope for the best. (See skilled labor).
One can only image what has occured since the original concept.

Lee Sankey
San Diego

Duplexdan@AOL.COM wrote:

> Thanks Lee,
>
> ...for your input on Bergman pianos. It is curious that a piano  of Chinese
> origin produced in Korea with Mr. Pramberger's stamp on it should have a
> Nordic accent (I'm thinking of Ingemar Bergman the film maker). I'd like to
> know more about this piano because I have seen the new Pramberger concert
> grand in Valley Forge and I am particularly interested in the duplex scale
> design.
>
> I have noticed that most pianos of Chinese origin include a duplex scale, and
> there seems to be some awareness of how to incorporate this feature in scale
> design, but there seems to be a universal shortcoming in all of these
> instruments. And that is that the duplex scale is not in tune...that is,
> according to CFT Steinway's concept which I thoroughly endorse, and which has
> proven to be a significant factor in creating good piano tone.
>
> I must add, objectively, that certain asian manufacturers have made
> statements to me and to various technicians I have spoken with that they
> deliberately mute or tune the duplex scales out of tune for acoustic reasons
> by choice. I find this hard to accept because none of these defenders of the
> abstruse duplex scales can produce any statistical studies to support their
> dissonant conclusions.
>
> My interest would be to find a way to tune all of their duplex scales and
> thus enhance the tonal qualities of their pianos. Since you service them,
> perhaps we have a common interest. I would welcome any information about the
> duplex scales of the Bergmans that you can provide.
>
> Dan Franklin