Wapin Revisted

[Timothy Coates]

My wife Gayle and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ric Brekne and 
his wife Siri at Rochester, NY and in Sioux Falls, SD.  We really envy 
their trip through the US this summer.

Ric mentioned revisiting the Wapin Bridge.  There were many highlights 
to this year's convention for me.  Not only getting to know Ric, but 
Dr. Stephen Birkett.  Stephen contacted the Wapin Company about taking 
High Speed video of a Wapin Bridge.  We were able to video a "before" 
and "after" of a Yamaha C5.

The Wapin Bridge was not the only high speed video taken at the 
convention.  I have been surprised there has been nothing mentioned 
about it.  The Wapin Bridge was just a very small part of the video 
work done.

We initially took video of four strings in four different areas and 
marked them for the video "after".  Unfortunately,  while the exhibit 
hall was closed someone took it upon themselves to remove the markers.  
Fortunately,  they were not able to remove all of the marker from one 
of the bass strings.   The "after" video was taken in the "Rebuilders 
Gallery".  It showed exactly what Michael Wathen has been saying 
happens from day one:  The waves rebound off the bridge with more 
intensity.  It is very evident beginning with the rebound of the very 
first wave.   The rebounded waves reinforce the standing wave.   A 
picture is worth a thousand words.

The samples were taken with a forte-fortissimo blow.  I assure you the 
sound does not break up.

There will be a DVD available with all the video from the convention.  
I really don't know who to contact about the DVD.

Tim Coates
Wapin Company, LLP