String Spacing on Bridge

[Terry]

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Kinda seems a bit like a silly question now. Your explanation makes a =
lot of sense. Thanks.

Terry Farrell
  Terry,

  For a given piano length, lessening the string spacing would shorten =
the low tenor strings.  Not a positive change in most piano scales.  =
Also, the heavier low tenor wires put a higher side force on the bridge =
pins due to their stiffness, so larger pins and wider spacing would =
reduce the bridge's tendency to crack.  Bad grain orientation aside =
(Knabe) most bridge cracking occurs around the closely spaced small pins =
in the high treble, or on the bass bridge where string tensions are =
greatest.  I could imagine that these factors were discovered during the =
transition from parallel-strung to overstrung designs, and also as =
string tension increased as cast iron plates were incorporated.

  Mike


    On most (all?) modern pianos, the mid and upper treble strings are =
roughly parallel to one another. However, in the tenor, and more-so in =
the lower tenor, the strings are spaced much further apart over the =
bridge than they are up near the forward speaking length termination.

    Why? I ask that especially because I have heard much talk of =
design/performance concerns about the low end of the long bridge being =
too close to the rim - why not just lessen the string spacing and have =
the long bridge end further from the rim?

    Terry Farrell
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