> Perhaps simply giving more attention to grain orientation of the shank > could produce better results, regard shank breakage, flex issues, and > resulting tonal characteristics. > > Frank Emerson Why would that be? If there is information to the effect that wood is different in stiffness depending on grain orientation, I'd sure like to see it. I assume you're talking about annular rings. Nothing I've found in print from a credible source, nor any deflection testing I've done indicates that there is a lick of difference in beam stiffness between quarter sawn and flat sawn lumber, provided the grain is oriented along the beam's length. If you're talking long grain orientation, then I agree. Ron N
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC