[pianotech] Broadwood Barless Grand

[Encore Pianos]

I had more or less the same thoughts as Del expressed in regards to the idea
of having an uninterrupted bridge line as a primary motivation.   And it
seems that,  in these days of aluminum action rails, they could be made
strong enough to span the distance from bass tenor break to the top treble
end bracket.  If there were no breaks, the keys would not have to be angled
nearly so much as you proceed into the treble.  Also, the length of the
bridge would not have to be as great, unless one wanted to use the same
length bridge and space the notes a little further apart.  Same for the
action parts spacing .  

I still find this a fascinating design, and wonder if contemporary piano
engineers could rethink this design and modify it to advantage.

Will 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Boyce
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 3:04 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Broadwood Barless Grand

Yes Will, the action is normal, with action brackets in the usual places.
It's a Herrburger type action with the long spring and loop for the
repetition lever, rather than the Steinway 'butterfly' type spring.  
In fact, on middle C, the repetition spring was broken, and I replaced the
repetition lever complete with spring (rather than have to rebush the bushed
hole with centre pin that holds the spring coil), from a secondhand but much
newer one that I had with me. It was identical.

> One thing that I find interesting is the two breaks on the bridge in 
> the treble, in the area where the top two plate struts would normally 
> be.  I am assuming that is mirroring the spacing for the hammers and 
> whips, and keys on the rails, there to accommodate the action brackets.
>
> Will Truitt

Del, you are right of course about the "jog" in the long bridge and the
breaks in stringing which Will also commented on.  Your point about "why
bother" seems an entirely fair one!  But it's interesting at any rate, that
Broadwood had the financial confidence in those days to play about with
these design experiments. I was fascinated by the Broadwood upright with
bridge agraffes I encountered a few months ago (i posted pics here).  They
certainly weren't scared to try stuff out!

Best regards,

David Boyce.