[pianotech] Downbearing criteria

Joseph Garrett joegarrett at earthlink.net
Thu Jul 30 09:27:28 MDT 2009


Al G said: "I never got a response to this question. Did my email get through?"

I expected  sum of dem X=purts ta anser dat!! But dey didn't, so I'll try. (see below)

"I am restringing a Steinway M. Before I pulled the strings I read a composite down bearing of 10 to 12 thousandths across the bass and tenor bridges with a dial gauge micrometer. My question is, how much downbearing is too much. Is 10 to 12 thousandths too much. At what point would it be worth pulling the plate to adjust it. The soundboard and bridges are in good condition."

Al, 
I like to see approx. .010" downbearing on the bass bridge; nothing less than .005" on the tenor  end of the long bridge, up  to the killer octave area. At that  point, I'd prefer that the downbearing increas to around .020" on the top of the long bridge, (note 88). As long as you have  some throughout, you are good to go in my estimation. Sometimes too much is worse than none, IMHO! Hope that answers your question.
Regards,
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I
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