Duplex Scale Tuning

[Richard Brekne]

Er... Ed.. I think the point is that one doesnot need a duplex to get a good
sound. But to take your point seriously

Number 1, reverse your suggestion. Take a piano without a duplex (front) and slap
on on there. You will notice a lot of difference there as well.

number 2 In either case if the rebuilder thinks through the process of conversion
well enough, he / she has a pretty good chance of succeding in getting a very
good sound from the instrument. Better or not is really an absurd question
(within certain parameters of reasonability) as sound quality is largely a matter
of taste.

Take the Bechstien piano for example. Fine full strong sound with no duplex in
the front at all. Now personally I like the effect of a well functioning duplex.
But make no mistake about it. In order for it to do what it does, it takes energy
from the singing length of the string, and if it is functioning badly... it it
usually takeing too much energy.

I suppose that in our day.. the duplex on most pianos is indeed as much of a
marketing plan as it is anything else.

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway

ETomlinCF3@AOL.COM wrote:

> What a load.  Take a piano with a good duplex and play it with and without
> the duplex muted and the difference is very noticeable.  How can one say that
> it is a marketing plan?  Lost energy ... we even see energy transferring into
> the plate and almost all other components.
>
> Ed Tomlinson
>
> << IMHO the importance of the duplex scale is mostly in the minds of the
>  marketing department.  Let's not forget the aesthetics of nickel plated
>  parts up against a newly painted plates!  Any energy which gets beyond
>  the bridge or the capo is energy lost.  The duplex scale merely makes a
>  sales feature out of a design flaw.
>
>  Go to bed now Jim.  It's early AM in Florida.
>
>  Dale Fox
>   >>