Fw: moving the bridge

[Ron Nossaman]

> One additional question I forgot.
> 
> As pianos get shorter is the a point at which it would be desirable to 
> use a cantilevered bridge a fixed number?

I don't think a cantilever is EVER desirable. Long back scale 
(definitely)  and a soundboard float in the smaller pianos if the 
bridge is still too close to the rim, is way better. I'm currently 
doing a Chickering Quarter Grand that's getting a major redesign. 
The bass bridge won't change position much (except for elimination 
of the cantilever) because the original back scale length wasn't too 
bad. I will, however, float the bass to accommodate the new rib scale.


> Carl Meyer PTG assoc
> Santa Clara, Ca.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Meyer" <cmpiano@comcast.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 10:26 AM
> Subject: moving the bridge
> 
> 
>> I want to thank Del and others who contributed to my understanding of 
>> back
>> scales and cantilevered bridges.  It's something I've given a lot of 
>> thought
>> to.
>>
>> In talking to other techs, I've gotten some negative response.  
>> Perhaps they
>> consider me too evangelistic.
>>
>> It's always dangerous to think that if some is good then more is better.
>>
>> To illustrate: I'm putting a Pianocorder in a 1902 Wing and Sons 57 inch
>> ornate oak piano with 5 pedals.
>>
>> When I came face to face with the bass bridge, I thought  "If there 
>> ever was
>> a piano that needed more back scale and less cantilever, this is it".
>>
>> For many reasons, I'm not going to do anything to it but it intrigues me.
>>
>> The attached photo shows that note one speaking length could be 
>> shortened at
>> least 5 inches with eliminating the overhang and increasing the back 
>> scale.
>> Since the bridge is tilted, it would be easier to make a new bridge cap
>> applied just over the bridge root and eliminating the skirt.
>>
>> Here are my questions.
>>
>> Is there a limit for this sort of thing or would I be considered 
>> "Extreme"
>> or "Out of the main stream" if I pushed this to the limit?

Which limit is that? The easiest change with the fewest 
modifications would be to shorten or eliminate the cantilever and 
keep the footprint on the soundboard where it is. Part of moving 
bridges around is arranging ribs to accommodate.


>> Is there any problem with the change in speaking length From note one 
>> to 28
>> with regard to rescaling? Note one will have a drastic change and 28 
>> almost
>> none.

That's what scaling worksheets and programs are for. Put the data 
in, play "what if", and see for yourself. You might find you want to 
change 28 too.


>> Would it be necessary to change the strike point of the hammers or as I
>> suspect the bass strike point is already compromised?

The strike point ratio change from doing this sort of thing is 
generally not a problem. You have quite a range to play with that 
low in the scale, and just getting some sound out of the bass will 
be an improvement, wherever the strike ratio falls.
Ron N