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<DIV><STRONG><EM> Hi Alan</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> You asked about 20 questions but I'm
answering only a couple. Ronsen Wurzen hammers are very consistent.
</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>I base this on having used a dozen or more sets. SO the
difference is in the soundboard system/scaling/down bearing
etc.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> I think of high tension low tension in terms of plain
wire. Steinway scales , models S,M,l,O & the A's as 160 ish lbs per
string on the plain wire. Models B,C,D have higher tension in the 180's or
higher or tensions that spike high like the C into the
190's.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> Other scale heads will have more to offer than
this.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> As far as no. of ribs in general the more the
merrier. Rather have too much support than not enough. You have to
start paying attention to this stuff so you can begin to draw some general
conclusion your self. How many ribs how tall etc</EM></STRONG>.
<STRONG><EM>where are the cut outs. And remember most of the boards you
will see are compression crowned so how do you quantify that? Not!
</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> Dale's general rule of thumb is that the stiffer the
hammer requeiremnts the stiffer the soundboard & vice
verse.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> On the Wurzens you thought needed a thin dilution
of juice. The lightest solution would probably give you enough of what you
were after without adverse effect or wait for a years hard
playing.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> So may question so little time</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM> Dale</EM></STRONG></DIV>
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<P>Hi,</P>
<P>In the recent hammer types thread David Love and others talked about
high-tension and low-tension scales. Quantitatively what does that mean? I'd
like to see some actual, real-world parameters as to the upper and lower
limits <SPAN class=296414205-19102006>of</SPAN> tension for high-tension
and low-tension scales. Would these parameters change correspondingly as the
size of the piano changes? </P>
<P>Ditto for inharmonicity. </P>
<P>I don't ask for much, do I?! ;-)</P>
<P>While we're at it, can soundboard stiffness be evaluated (at least
qualitatively) on your basic fully-strung piano in someone's living room? What
are the major factors that define stiffness? Does downbearing play a role
here? I'm looking for an answer that has specific, measurable quantities like,
"A stiff system has ribs spaced x inches apart with each rib notched into the
rim. Ribs are x inches in profile under the long bridge tapering to x inches
then tapering to x inches at the rim. A stiff board is x inches thick under
the long bridge tapering to ......, whereas a flexible system
..................." And also, "X piano brand is a good example of a stiff
system, whereas x pianos use a more flexible system..........." You get the
idea.</P>
<P>The other thing in this thread that got my attention was the description of
the hammer types matched to the Walter scale. I installed a set of Ronsen
Wurzen hammers on a Baldwin L last year. I would characterize the sound as
being darker and colorful, and maybe needing a little juice especially in the
top 2 octaves for a bit more definition. Needling was not even a consideration
for these hammers on this piano . But David's description of the Wurzens on
the Walter paints a very different picture of Ronsen Wurzens. So what gives?
Is there a lot of difference in Wurzens from set to set? Or is it that if we
were to put the same Wurzens on the Baldwin L and then the Walter, we would
have "dark" hammers on one, but "bright" hammers on the other, the explanation
being that the tone produced is a function of the interaction of the hammer
with the board system? Is it possible for their to be enough difference in the
board system to produce such different tone (needling like hell vs. maybe
needing a bit of juice) from the same type of hammer (assuming the hammers are
identical)?</P>
<P>Trying to educate myself. Thanks for any responses<SPAN
class=296414205-19102006> and thanks also to David for initiating this
interesting thread.</SPAN></P>
<P>Alan</P>
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