Tone near plate struts (was Re:Varying bridge height)

[Ron Nossaman]

>A bit of a delay due to computer crash.  I wanted to bring up the subject of
>change or deterioration of tone near plate braces which you mention above.
>Cutting down the bridge is one cause of it.  But on pianos that do not have
>a cut down bridge there is still a deterioration, or at least a change, of
tone
>adjacent to the plate struts or braces.  It seems to be worse on some pianos
>than on others.  What do you think is the reason for this?  I'd be interested
>in hearing some conjectures (or authoritative explanations if someone out
>there has some).
>
>Phil F

It could be going from agraffes to tuned duplexes. It could be that the
overall assembly is too flexible and the lack of string load at the strut
lowers the impedance there too much. String load does raise impedance.
Maybe too few  ribs, and/or not stiff enough. Is it the bridge that's
causing the problem? How could you tell one way or another?

 
Ron N