> > Is 1.5 mm enough or should I go for more? Is there "theory" or idea > >that bridges with aprons need less bearing? ---ric > > > This should be enough. Did you check the bearing on the tenor bridge while > the strings were still at pitch? If so, you can check it now and see how > far you can expect the soundboard to deflect when you pull it back up. That > will tell you something about what will happen in the bass under load. > Better yet, pull the rest of the piano to pitch and measure again before > permanently attaching the bass bridge. If you have any bearing at all, > you're probably fine. > > Just curious, why is the tension down in the rest of the piano? > > Ron N Thanks for the reply. The tension is down because I wanted to see how much the sound board came up. It didn't do much. Like 1 mm or less. Checking again 3 months later I still have the same readings. Also I have heard favorable ideas for releasing the tension and letting the sound board "breathe". I don't know one way or the other. Could be like letting wine breath in a caraffe. How do you really tell? If it is really better? I do know it ain't too stable (in tuning) for the first two months. Since I haven't heard astounding differences from letting the tension down, this alone is making me suspect an exerise in futility. With the bass strings "off" I can now take measurements and compute tension. But what a hassel taking measurements. No wonder Travis didn't do that. Maybe I will do a rubbing. At any rate I will put it into a spread sheet and offer it to anyone interested. ---ric
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