Ebony bridge caps

[Michael Spreeman]

Here is a picture of the bridge in 220003.  The cap on the high end is hornbeam, the rest is maple.  You can see the exposed ebony laminations from the undercut section.  The ebony treble molding/cut off piece is blind doweled into the belly rail (thought I would mention that so I don't get questions from people, like, "where's the screws in the treble piece thingy?"). 
                Michael C. Spreeman http://www.spreemanpianoinnovations.com


From: davidlovepianos at comcast.netTo: pianotech at ptg.orgSubject: RE: Ebony bridge capsDate: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 19:55:50 -0700




What is the overall height in the treble section?
 

David Lovedavidlovepianos at comcast.netwww.davidlovepianos.com 
-----Original Message-----From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Michael SpreemanSent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:34 PMTo: Pianotech ListSubject: RE: Ebony bridge caps
 
They are the same height and same width.

                Michael C. Spreeman http://www.spreemanpianoinnovations.com

 



From: davidlovepianos at comcast.netTo: pianotech at ptg.orgSubject: RE: Ebony bridge capsDate: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 17:25:46 -0700

Michael:
 
Just out of curiosity, how do the overall heights of the bridges between the three pianos compare through the treble.  
 

David Lovedavidlovepianos at comcast.netwww.davidlovepianos.com 
-----Original Message-----From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Michael SpreemanSent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:04 PMTo: Pianotech ListSubject: RE: Ebony bridge caps
 
Ron, I don't recall the exact figures, but the weight difference between the three is significant and without question a significant factor. I suspect it's a sort of backdoor mass loading effect without having to screw things to the bottom of the board. Unfortunately, it's not quite as easy to remove the bridge as it is the weights 8-).For the MOE, heck if I know, but I did perform the mechanic's stethoscope, non scientific, experiment and I am happy to report that the ebony/maple/mahogany laminted bridge, without a doubt, has mo sound than the others.   I had a helper strike and place a tuning fork on one end while I listened through the stethoscope at the other.  We made several passes between the three, and then switched places.  The volume of the sound between the three was very different.  The solid bridge sounded nice, the maple/mahogany was much louder, and the maple/ebony/mahogany bridge the loudest of the three. Originally, knowing that obviously mo is better, I put an ebony cap on the bottom of tenor treble bridge.  It's a great sound and looks really cool, but when compared to the latest version of the 220, it's evident that the board might, maybe, perhaps, possibly just might be restricted just a tad.     David,  you're not hearing those difference because I'm referring to my pianos which have never been outside the Scottsdale city limits, but you're more than welcome to come over and listen for yourself anytime (you make the drive, and I'll buy the beer 8-) .And yes, the difference is noticeable through the breaks, not just the treble, with the exception of the bass, which I didn't change because I was pleased with how it sounded. Like I said, I'm definately no authority on any of this, I just have to think that when discussing the various pieces of the puzzle which allow us to hear and experience beautiful piano sound, every individual piece is open game for investigation, manipulation, change, and experimentation. There are enough variable components to keep us all busy for quite a while.  

                Michael C. Spreeman http://www.spreemanpianoinnovations.com
 




> From: davidlovepianos at comcast.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org> Subject: RE: Ebony bridge caps> Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 10:43:30 -0700> > There is one other observation that gives rise to a question I have about> marginally different caps and different sounds. On many, if not most, of> the boxwood capped pianos it is only the capo section that is done that way.> The tenor section is maple. If there were a 30% difference in both power> and sustain, wouldn't you expect that there would be a noticeably different> quality of sound across the break? I'm not hearing those differences. > > David Love> davidlovepianos at comcast.net > www.davidlovepianos.com> > -----Original Message-----> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf> Of Ron Nossaman> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:01 AM> To: Pianotech List> Subject: Re: Ebony bridge caps> > > > > 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> > 




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