The 5’ 6” Bauer I did in 1996 had exactly the configuration Del describes, although I did not know that it was crown adjustable either. Really nice, full bodied sound. A solid citizen of the piano world. Crown could be a problem. After about 200 years. And the piano would still be around too. Will From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Delwin D Fandrich Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 11:31 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Julius Bauer finished Look down underneath. The parameter of the soundboard panel is affixed to a laminated inner rim. On my nine-footer there was a wood strip on top of the soundboard panel that sistered this inner rim and this was butted up against and was attached to the bottom of the plate. There was a more-or-less standard set of plate screws/bolts (I don’t remember which) coming down through the top of the plate, through the soundboard panel and into the inner rim. All fairly normal. But…there was a large gap of about 20 to 25 mm (give-or-take) the outside of the inner rim and extensions of the plate. There was a plate lip, or flange, that extended down 100 to 125 mm all around the outside of the plate (and it was a full-parameter plate). About half-way down there was a series of what looked like square-headed lag screws inserted into the sides of the inner rim. Their heads butted up against the iron plate flange. By backing these lag screws out pressure would be exerted against the inner rim which would then rotate some. Because the rib system was so stiff—what with the sistered ribs top and bottom—you could actually alter the crown of the board slightly. At least with the strings removed. I discovered the purpose of these lags by accident. Before I removed the original strings I had a couple of buzzes to track down. I found a very slight gap between a couple of these screws and the plate flange. I reached up with a wrench and backed them out a bit and the buzzes went away. Their purpose became clear with a bit of pondering. When I had the strings off I experimented a little. Quite fun. Ultimately I found the patent in which Bauer explained their purpose; also quite fun. I was never sure just how they should be adjusted so—since crown was definitely not a problem with this soundboard system—with the strings out I turned them all in until there was a visible gap and then backed them out until they just touched. Firmly, but not enough to make anything move. The idea was that as the strings loaded the board the inner rim would want to rotate and would cause the bolt heads to press hard against the plate keeping everything reasonably stable and quiet. Seemed to work. ddf Delwin D Fandrich Piano Design & Fabrication 6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA Phone 360.515.0119 — Cell 360.388.6525 del at fandrichpiano.com <mailto:del at fandrichpiano.com> — ddfandrich at gmail.com From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dale Erwin Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 7:48 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Julius Bauer finished I'm thinking I would have seen it but nothing jumps out at me. Is it a stealth feature. :) Dale Because of the dual, sistered ribs the soundboard was in pretty much the same condition it was in the day after it was constructed. I can’t imagine this soundboard changing over the years no matter the environment. The Bauer, by the way, had the only system I’ve ever seen that actually could alter the crown of the soundboard assembly after the piano was built. Dale, have you looked to see if your piano has this feature? ddf Delwin D Fandrich Piano Design & Fabrication 6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA Phone 360.515.0119 — Cell 360.388.6525 del at fandrichpiano.com <mailto:del at fandrichpiano.com> — ddfandrich at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20110704/51962c6a/attachment.htm>
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