Laughead bass bridges

[Sy Zabrocki]

In 1972 I ordered a Kurtzman console which was made by Laughead. It was equipped with the vibrating knee panel you describe. A post extended from the bridge which made contact with the bottom board when slammed shut. Vibration from the bridge extended thru the post and caused the bottom board to vibrate. I had forgotten about this until this topic appeared. As I remember, I didn't notice any improvement in tone or volume.

Gordon Laughead mentions this device as the "Miracle Bridge" in the 1971 or 1972 Music Trades Directory. 

Sy Zabrocki--RPT
Billings, MT
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From: 	pianoman[SMTP:pianoman@inlink.com]
Sent: 	Wednesday, August 05, 1998 5:40 PM
To: 	pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: 	Laughead bass bridges

Hi All,
In this months Journal Susan Kline mentions what the Laughead Company
called knee panels.
It brought up old memories of when I sold Laughead in the early '70's. 
They had an option (I believe it was $75.00) that connected from the
surface of the bass bridge to the knee panel that would cause the same to
vibrate the same, giving some added reinforcement to the bass frequencies. 
Has anyone tuned or serviced one of these and what do you think about the
added volume that it may have produced.
	Gorgon Laughead in 1972 or 1973" took my wife and I and the gentleman I
was working for, out to a local restaurant during the St. Louis PTG
convention.  It was the first time I had ever had prime rib, fantastic. 
Gordon was a great guy and when I left the guys employment I sold a few
Laugheads myself.  After the convention we made a trip up to his factory
and got the grand tour.  I was sorry when it went up in smoke. 
	 Does anyone know if Gordon is still alive?	He had told me that his Dad
worked for Wurlitzer and that most of the case part jigs his Dad built
which is why the little piano looked dated even when knew.
Thanks Susan for the memory flashback.
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G.
 Since 1962 in St. Louis, MO
pianoman@inlink.com