<html> Richard B - Yes, that's what I wanted to know.  You apparently do not use gauges, whether bubble or rocker or other. A little clarification would be helpful, as follows: At 07:04 PM 04/07/2002 +0200, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi David I kind of hedge myself with downbearing measurements. I do two things. First I measure the height of the bridge in various spots both before and after tension is let down. </blockquote> How do you measure bridge height? When you say "before and after tension is let down", do you mean on a particular note? <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Secondly I take string deflection measurements with tension off the panel. </blockquote> Does 'panel' mean soundboard? <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>The way I do the second is perhaps what you are asking for. I run a taught cloth string from the tuning pin under the front termination and across the bridge and position the back height such that it just touches the bridge but is not deflected by it. Then I measure the distance to the string rest. Then I bring the string just down to where it touches the back edge of the bridge and measure again the distance to the string rest. Both measurements are taken on the normal (90 degrees) from the string rest. This gives enough to calculate  both the front bearing angle and rear angle.</blockquote> I don't understand this last statement.  Also, it's not clear to me if you are describing measuring  the bearing of a strung piano, or one which you are, or have destrung.  I was particularly curious about how you went about measuring the downbearing of a functional, or, using Ron N's parameters, a non-functional piano. Hope you're not getting board with this. David Skolnik <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Is this what you were asking about then ? David Skolnik wrote: > Richard B - > Thanks for your thorough response, a few points of which I would like to > pursue, but I'll probably break it up into individual posts, as I'm > supposed to be taking my daughter to an ice skating lesson right now. > > At 01:42 PM 04/07/2002 +0200, you RicB, wrote: > > >Measuring down bearing ?? Hmm.... I suppose > >much like I do otherwise. > > Clearly, I'm asking for a reason, but I wonder if you would indulge me a > little further and explain your method. > > David S -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. Bergen, Norway <a href="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no" eudora="autourl">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</a> <a href="http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html" eudora="autourl">http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html</a></blockquote></html>