On this piano, and some others like it, the cutoff bar is floating meaning that it is not secured to the bracing but acts more like a heavy duty auxiliary rib where the cutoff bar would normally be. It provides a stiff termination point for the working ribs but, presumably, still allows some minimal flexibility in the entire assembly beyond the cut off bar into the bass corner. Not sure what the actual difference in acoustic response would be with this set up versus a normal cutoff bar. I would guess not a lot. Perhaps the belief was that inserting the wedge between the cutoff bar and the bracing would further immobilize that corner making it function more like a conventional cutoff. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Delwin D Fandrich Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 11:27 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hammer Molding Leads, Rib Alterations & Belly Rail/Rib Wedge 1) The wedge. Yes, the wedge will inhibit soundboard movement. However, it appears to be so close to the end of the rib that I doubt it makes any difference. If you can take it out easily, do so.
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