Visualizing Strings - (what are they doing in the dark that we don't know about?)

[Alan W Deverell]

Bob - I would be very interested to see such film, however, as a
diagnostic tool the cost of filming and the delay in getting the film
developed may be a bit TOO protracted (but perhaps not as long and it
has taken me NOT to get the idea going and tested):-)))

AlanD

>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org
>[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
>Of R. Goodale
>Sent: Friday, August 14, 1998 3:11 PM
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Visualizing Strings - (what are they doing in
>the dark that
>wedon't know about?)
>
>
>Alan W Deverell wrote:
>>
>> Dear List,
>>
>> About 10 years ago I began assembling the components to
>build a high
>> intensity Xenon Strobe (light) which together with a
>Hewlett Packard
>> Spectrum Analyzer, Signal/Pulse Generator etc. would
>enable me to SEE
>> just what the strings in different pianos where doing that
>gave them
>> their individual tonal qualities.
>SNIP
>> What I envisaged was that we could produce a device,
>somewhat similar
>> to an Automotive Timing Light, which, together with analytical
>> instructions (for more serious work some appropriate
>> ancillary/optional equipments), may be helpful in the
>design, problem
>> solving, voicing etc. of pianos (and perhaps other stringed
>> instruments).
>SNIP
>> Just think of ALL those niggley problems that occur - they can be
>> heard - but - because they can't be seen or readily measured - they
>> can't be easily pinpointed or accurately identified.
>>
>> Perhaps someone has already done this ?
>
>Alan,
>
>There is a high-speed film somewhere of a piano wire vibrating after
>being struck with a hammer. I beleive it was made by engineers at
>Kimball. (Now there's a contradiction in terms!).  Anyway,
>Rick Florence
>at ASU did a nice presentation using it a few years back at
>the Deerborn
>convention. (Jim, I'm certain you know all about this).
>Anyway, you get
>a very interesting perspective regarding the relationships
>of the hammer
>and string, and even more so, how the string vibrates. Your
>idea sounds
>equally interesting and I would be very interested in seeing
>it if you
>can get it up and running.
>
>Rob Goodale, RPT
>