[pianotech] interesting piano

[Terry Farrell]

> I don't understand what curve you are both talking about. I see the  
> end of the tenor being very nearly straight, or not curved enough to  
> make a real difference.


Ron - I'm quite sure Rafael does not fully realize that what appears  
to be a "curved" tenor end is actually a separate transition bridge.  
I'm quite sure your notes on the photo will help him understand.  
Perhaps he has not seen a piano with a transition bridge previously.

Terry Farrell

On Sep 16, 2009, at 10:05 PM, Ron Nossaman wrote:

> Rafael M. Huberman Muñiz wrote:
>> Yes, as Terry mention I was refering to the curve at the end of the  
>> tenor. I'm far from being an expert and was triyng not to make an  
>> asseveration but triyng to understand and support  Ron's comment.
>
> Hi Rafael,
> I don't understand what curve you are both talking about. I see the  
> end of the tenor being very nearly straight, or not curved enough to  
> make a real difference. The part that does make the difference is  
> the transition bridge allowing a shorter speaking length for the  
> highest wrapped strings, so the tensions can be high enough, so the  
> break% can be high enough to get the improved tuning stability I  
> mentioned.
>
>
>> Lets suppose that the bridge is straight, then the wrapped strings  
>> would have been made of different widths according to the scale so,  
>> if they decide to make a scale with those specific widths and then  
>> shape the bridge to that specific lenghts, isn't it that specific  
>> combination (width-lenght) that made the resulting smoothness or  
>> evenness of tone in that part of the piano?
>
> We know what happens when we curve the low tenor, making the  
> speaking lengths shorter to get the bridge in the piano, and put  
> plain wire strings on it. The tensions are too low, the break% is  
> too low, and the tuning is very unstable down there. They also honk,  
> and otherwise sound nasty.
>
>
>> And if it was a straight bridge with the respective sizes of  
>> strings wouldn't sound as nice as it does?
>
> It depends on how long the speaking length is for the required  
> unison pitch. If it isn't long enough to get the break% of plain  
> wire high enough, you get tuning and tonal problems, regardless of  
> the shape of the bridge.
> Ron N
> <Kohler transition 2.jpg>