Bridle Straps

[pianoman]

Hi All, 	
	Just wanted to hit this topic one more time with a few added thoughts. 
	Is it bridle or bridal?  Actually each word could convey the purpose of
the straps.  'Bridle' referring to controlling or connecting from the lower
action and the upper action.  In the same context 'bridal' could mean the
same, wedding the upper and lower actions together.
	One of the most important jobs for the straps is connecting the upper and
lower together so the action can be removed from the piano while the straps
keep the jacks from falling down too far.  More important than the type of
bridle/bridal strap is that they hold the jack, unsupported, about halfway
down the hammer butt felt.  If the straps are all connected to the same
place on the butt when they are connected to the wires the wires should
form a straight line without having to pull the bridle wires out an
excessive amount.  Sometimes you have to take up slack in the strap to do
this.  The trick is to do that by keeping your method neat and uniform. 
Some people will wrap the strap around the catcher shank or else move the
clip up farther up towards the butt.  What ever the solution, the point is
to keep it neat and uniform.
	I have often wondered why the straps are attached to the butt end of the
mechanism rather than the catcher end.  At the catcher end there would be
no problems at all about possible jack interference.  Does anyone know the
reason for this?
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G.
 St. Louis, MO.
Competent Service since 1962
 Do what is right and do no harm
 Creator of  Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups and Practical Piano  Peripherals

pianoman@inlink.com