[pianotech] Belly talk

[Jim Ialeggio]

David,

No we're not talking about the same thing.

Remove(hypothetically) the outer rim in an inner rim with applied outer 
rim piano. The inner rim is constructed first, with the soundboard and 
plate all set before the outer rim is applied. In this scenario, the top 
surface which mates to the soundboard, in addition to some small amount 
of bevel as you noted, in some pianos (like current M&H),  is contoured 
in a significantly out of plane condition...purposely.   Viewed from the 
front of the bellyrail, there is a crown, meaning the bellyrail bows 
upwards forming a crown. In this small piano there is a full 11mm 
difference between the height of the bellyrail at the center and the 
height at the ends.

The same with the curved side and on this one, the back of the long side 
as well. If you could see through the outer rim to the top surface of 
the inner rim, these portions also are somewhat serpentine. They, are 
not in a flat plane, helping to create what has been referred to as the" 
the most important crown in the piano", ie the "crown along the length 
of the long bridge.

I don't agree with this obviously shaping, but that's the condition I'm 
referring to.

Jim Ialeggio

-- 
Jim Ialeggio	
jim at grandpianosolutions.com
978 425-9026
Shirley Center, MA