Baldwin AccuJangle

Delwin D. Fandrich pianobuilders@olynet.com
Tue, 15 Apr 2003 12:16:36 -0700


----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 4:30 AM
Subject: Re: Baldwin AccuJangle


> This tech mentioned this term while doing a little PTG chapter meeting
technical on voicing and tapping down strings, etc. trying to eliminate
noises. The tech indicated that Baldwin specifically places the vertical
hitch pins distances from the back bridge pins so that they are at least
roughly tuned, thus creating the jangle. Does Baldwin try to make the
backscale length a "tuned length"? I can only assume you have written an
article on this or at least posted a dozen times, so I am reluctant to ask
you to explain again. Can you direct me to more info on this - and how your
current use of the vertical hitch pin system might differ from the Baldwin
system? Thanks.

I don't remember if there was a tuning scheme employed here or not. They are
offset from anything resembling a straight line to better distribute the
bending load over the plate surface.

It's pretty hard (if not impossible) to design a backscale without some
strings being sympathetic with something. But I've not heard that this is a
common problem with Baldwin pianos. It may be, but it wasn't one coming back
to the factory during the years I was there.

On the other hand, it is a very common problem with pianos incorporating a
deliberately tuned duplex system. What I've heard technicians call these
system from time to time really shouldn't be printed in forum children might
read.

In my own use of the vertical hitch I try to keep them just a bit shorter
than any close partial. And I also spread them out just a bit though I don't
worry about this as much as Baldwin does. I also don't plan to let the
string ride any more than 4 or 5 mm off the plate surface. I've seen Baldwin
pianos with the strings as much as 15 to 18 mm up.


>
> This tech spoke in a rather dismissive/disdainful manner of the Baldwin
system. The tech's orientation at least was not unlike that which I have
read on this list about tuned rear duplex scales (like S&S, Boston, Kawai,
and a hundred others).

Ah, the piano industry is a wonderful place. No good deed will go unpunished
and any attempt toward progress will be greeted with contempt and derision.

Del


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