Ted, Good job. Now I know what bubinga is and what it is used for. I might ask you after a couple of years again, because I forget naturally if I don't use it. I couldn't attend this years national PTG convention because of my responsibilities here at the university the same time. So I made it to the Europiano Congress 2000 in Valle de Fiemme/Italy instead. We didn't enjoy the italian hospitality too much (service was terrible in our hotel) but the technical presentations were great. In particular super slow motion pictures of action models, hammers, dampers etc. I was very impressed with the new Fazioli patent of adjustable touch through the means of slightly movable pairs of attracting and compelling magnets. I used my spy camera and hope to learn more about that process. At this time I feel very comfortable with David Stanwoods touchweight metrology. After attending a one week course at his home on Martha's Vineyard I am one of his agents. There was no time for playing golf. I hope you are doing fine. Occasionally I see your name popping up and I thought to write you a note in appreciation of all your wealth of information you contribute to us. Thank you so very much Hans University of Louisville School of Music >>> Ted_Sambell@BanffCentre.AB.CA 08/23/00 12:24PM >>> Ric, Perhaps the following tells more than one wants to know about bubinga: Commercial names: African rosewood, Kevasingo ( when rotary cut). Other names: Essingang (Camaroon) Kevazingo,Buvenga (Gabon) Distribution: Chiefly from the Camaroon and Gabon, also from Zaire. General description: The wood is medium red-brown with lighter red to purple veining. The grain is straight or interlocked. In some logs the grain is very irregular, and these are converted by peeling into rotary cut veneers called kevasingo. The texture is moderately coarse but even. The weight averages 55 lbs per cubic foot. Mechanical properties: The timber has low steambending qualities and exudation of gum pockets is troublesome. Seasoning: Dries easily, except for gum exudation, with little degrade, and is stable in service. Working properties: The timber works easily with both hand or machine tools, though gum pockets may cause difficulty. Interlocked and irregular grain material tends to tear or pick up and a reduced cutting angle of 15 deg. is necessary for planing or molding. There is a moderate to severe blunting effect on cutting edges which must be kept sharp. Nailing requires pre-boring; gluing may be difficult due to gum pockets, but the wood stains easily and can be brought to an excellent finish. Durability: It is moderately durable but liable to common furniture beetle attack. The sapwood is permeable and the heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment. Uses:It is an excellent turnery wood, and used for knife handles, brush backs, fancy goods. The chief use is for sliced decorative veneers for cabinets and panelling, particularly the rotary cut kevasingo, with a wild, swirling, veined figure. My reference is "World Woods in Color" by William A. Lincoln, Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, CA. Hope you are not sorry you asked! Ted Sambell -----Original Message----- From: Richard Moody [mailto:remoody@midstatesd.net] Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 7:34 PM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: Re: Hamburg Pinblock? > > The top and bottom layers of the Hamburg Steinways are bubinga as Rick said. > I visited the factory and was told this. > > Ted Sambell OK, what's bubinga? ---ric
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