Ebony bridge caps

[Ron Nossaman]

> I'm not certain in "which way" you mean that they don't seem copromised, 
> but I'd like to make a general observation about bridges here.  I have 
> only my limited experience to share, and what I've been told by others 
> about this subject.  I have 3 identical pianos (same size, same scale, 
> same board thickness, same ribbing, same bracing, same rim structure, 
> same belly rail, same type of hammers, etc.) with 3 different types of 
> bridges.  One has a solid maple bridge, no cap, one has a vertically 
> laminated body of maple and mahogany with hardwood caps, and one has a 
> vertically laminated body of maple, ebony, and mahogany with hardwood 
> caps.  I understand that the characteristics of the wood of the board, 
> ribs, differnces in hammers even with the same manufacturer and same 
> model,, etc.  However, the difference in sound between these pianos is 
> gargantuous, far exceeding any differences caused by the differences of 
> the boards or hammers.  The solid bridge is the least efficient.  Nice 
> warm sound, ok duration, but no power.  The 2nd has around 30% more of 
> both, and the 3rd yet another 30%.  Apparently something is going on 
> between the string and the soundboard which is causing a marked 
> difference in the sound of the pianos.  I'm thinking it's the bridges. 

A reasonable conclusion. It likely *is* the bridges. What do 
the three different bridges weigh, do you suppose, and how 
does the MOE of the three compare?
Ron N