Yes, I've heard the bit about string longevity once or twice in the past. On first blush it sounds like a good theory until you consider the--what?--millions of vertical pianos out there with sharp and short string deflection angles that are not breaking strings with any great regularity. Nor are they particularly noisy in spite of what are sometimes very rough V-bar surfaces. ddf Delwin D Fandrich Piano Design & Fabrication 6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA Phone 360.736.7563 — Cell 360.388.6525 del at fandrichpiano.com — ddfandrich at gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Don Mannino Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 9:51 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning the duplex sections Nice post, George. Another important factor which is, if I recall correctly, mentioned in the old patents is the benefit to the tone and longevity of the string from changing the wire movement at the capo from a bending action to a pivoting action. When the duplex length is short or the angle very steep, the wire is effectively locked down against the capo. When the angle is lower and the length is longer, the wire can rock or pivot slightly on the capo, reducing stress on the wire. The envelope of the attack and sustain certainly is affected by the duplex and it's tuning. Whether the change to the envelope is better or worse is, to a certain degree, a matter of taste. This is why a lot of debate can take place on this type of subject. But I will weigh in your side that the duplex scale by the capo has a positive benefit to tone, and to longevity of the wire. The duplex lengths, angle, and hardness of the capo surface can be balanced to give the tone desired. Don Mannino
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC