Hi Ed. Yes... well I WAS actually just clarifying the point that in theory the duplex lengths are supposed to be pre-determined fractional lengths with purposed length relationships to the speaking lengths.... and not trying to justify whether or not the system works or not. My own tinkering around indicates to me there is more to the idea then is most often heeded credit here on pianotech... but then that's (both points really) are completely different subject matters. It was intended I presume as the patent describes, not so much as an overall effect. Elstewise it is hard to explain some of the refinements of the principle that have popped up through the years... most recently the Schimmel so called Tri-plex system. Clearly some folks believe enough in the basic idea that they go to great lengths to maximize the effect and accuracy. Equally clearly as you point out... Steinway of today and reasonably recent past seems to have placed less weight on the exact accuracy of the speaking length to duplex length relationships per sé. But then.... as I said... all thats another discussion Cheers RicB I wrote: > The staggered lengths formed by the Steinway system are > >obviously not to scale, so I suppose that the overall effect was > >more important than the ratios of individual notes to backscale > JD replies: > What are you saying! The duplex lengths are obviously intended to > be, and are in fact, in a simple numerical relationship with the > speaking length in order to produce a partial of the fundamental. > That's why they're called "tuned partials". << > In theory, fine, in practise, not so fine. I have yet to find a Steinway duplex bar that will accurately produce partials that are related to the notes they are on for more than a few of the notes per bar, the rest are wildly off. With individual string rests, it is possible, but with precast duplex bars, it is more of an average than particularly matched to the strings. To have it exact, the notching on the distal side of the bridge would have to be equally exact, and that just doesn't happen with Steinways. Walk through a dealership and see how well matched the backscale pitches are to the speaking length. When I last did that, the ratios were all over the map. Regards, > > Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
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