String termination question

[Joe And Penny Goss]

MessageDoes the angle that the hammer hits the different string segment also have an effect here? <g>
Joe Goss RPT
Mother Goose Tools
imatunr at srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Geoff Sykes 
  To: 'Pianotech List' 
  Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 9:05 PM
  Subject: RE: String termination question


  Wim --

  BUT... As I understand it, one of the important reasons for the X and Y axis to terminate at exactly the same point, (at the bridge), is that if one axis is different than the other then the string is essentially a different length in one axis than the other. This increases inharmonicity and causes conflicting partials in the two axis. This is a similar reason as to why the windings on bass strings must be the same length and end at the same distance from BOTH termination points. I understand that, among other things, equal termination at the bridge equates to maximum transfer of energy to the soundboard, but doesn't unequal termination at the agraffe or capo bar cause distortion in the string waveform that not only increases inharmonicity and unwanted conflicting partials but also a loss in overall energy?

  I don't mean to start an argument. I'm really just interested in the mechanical logic of this centuries old manufacturing practice. For all I know the contribution of any errors at the agraffe or capo bar may be so insignificant as to be unworthy of consideration. I'm just curious. 

  -- Geoff Sykes, Los Angeles




    -----Original Message-----
    From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Willem Blees
    Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 7:22 PM
    To: pianotech at ptg.org
    Subject: Re: String termination question


    Geoff

    As Annie indicated, the string needs to go over the bridge for the vibrations to transfer from the string to the soundboard. The string needs to be seated at both sides of the bridge, so that the vibration is transferred without interference. If the string is not seated, then there will not be a solid transfer of the vibrating string. 

    See what happens when you start thinking. 


    Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
    Piano Tuner/Technician
    Honolulu, HI
    Author of 
    The Business of Piano Tuning
    available from Potter Press
    www.pianotuning.com


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Geoff Sykes <thetuner at ivories52.com>
    To: Pianotech at Ptg. Org <pianotech at ptg.org>
    Sent: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 3:42 pm
    Subject: String termination question


    Greetings All --

    I made the mistake of thinking the other day, and I started wondering why piano strings are terminated at the bridge on both the X and Y axis but at the capo bar, or agraffe, on only the X, (or perhaps that's Y depending on how you are looking at it), axis. We go to lengths to make sure the strings are seated properly at the bridge so that there is a definite and precise termination in both planes at the bridge and bridge pin. Why then is the lack of termination in both planes not a problem at the agraffe and capo bar end? 

    -- Geoff Sykes, Los Angeles

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