> It doesn't, but the use of these bridge agraffes appears to open the > possibility of zero downbearing while maintaining good reliable > termination. With zero downbearing, it seems that the soundboard > designer is suddenly given more choices and freedom of design (one of > the choices available being... include downbearing!). > Steve Fujan We've been over this many times. The slanted pins and offset angle of conventional bridge pinning provides a good solid clamp termination at the bridge without the need for downbearing. Downbearing isn't for bridge coupling, it's for an opposing spring system to the strings, and increasing the stiffness of most of the soundboard assemblies out there by rib loading and/or panel compression. Soundboard designers always have, and still do have the option of designing zero bearing soundboards with absolutely no detectable penalty in string to bridge coupling with conventional pinning. Ron N
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