what is downbearing?

[Erwinspiano@aol.com]

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             Hi Julia
   The list just had quite a discussion on it 2 weeks ago. Check archives.

        Regards--Dale
Hi Julia,

Downbearing is the force the strings on a grand piano apply to the bridge.
Hence the name "downbearing". It is important there be some, just how
"much" would vary with the specific design of the piano. It is also
important that there be "crown" on the soundboard. If the soundboard has
collaspsed--it is still possible if the plate is low enough that there will
be "downbearing".

With negative downbearing the strings will not touch the top of the bridge.

Postive crown and positive downbearing are usually considered to be
desireable for an instrument to sound well. 


At 11:11 AM 2/19/2004 EST, you wrote:
>Greetings,
> 
>           What exactly is downbearing? Does it affect the sound of the
>piano or is it a mechanical/ physics measurement for the playability of the
>piano? Why is it important to measure it? Can it be calculated by a
>formula(e)? What does it mean?
> 

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