<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> The differences I was referring to were those on existing pianos where there is a combination of boxwood and maple with no discernable difference where one transitions to the other.  I’d love to take you up on that beer someday.   As far as each piece being open for investigation, I couldn’t agree more.  I take little on faith, especially when it comes to traditions.  The miraculous is still simply the unexplained to me.  I’m certainly open to alternate materials, designs, and ways of thinking about things.  Were I convinced that different capping materials made an appreciable and favorable difference in the sound, I would be in the car and on my way to the lumber yard.  Please don’t construe my questions as other than an attempt to understand the if, why, what, how and huh factors in all this.  I appreciate anyone who goes out on a limb to try something different.      <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com </div>     David,   you're not hearing those difference because I'm referring to my pianos which have never been outside the Scottsdale city limits, but you're more than welcome to come over and listen for yourself anytime (you make the drive, and I'll buy the beer 8-) . And yes, the difference is noticeable through the breaks, not just the treble, with the exception of the bass, which I didn't change because I was pleased with how it sounded.   Like I said, I'm definately no authority on any of this, I just have to think that when discussing the various pieces of the puzzle which allow us to hear and experience beautiful piano sound, every individual piece is open game for investigation, manipulation, change, and experimentation. There are enough variable components to keep us all busy for quite a while.     <div>                 Michael C. Spreeman <a href="http://www.spreemanpianoinnovations.com/">http://www.spreemanpianoinnovations.com</a> </div>   <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> > From: davidlovepianos@comcast.net > To: pianotech@ptg.org > Subject: RE: Ebony bridge caps > Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 10:43:30 -0700 > > There is one other observation that gives rise to a question I have about > marginally different caps and different sounds. On many, if not most, of > the boxwood capped pianos it is only the capo section that is done that way. > The tenor section is maple. If there were a 30% difference in both power > and sustain, wouldn't you expect that there would be a noticeably different > quality of sound across the break? I'm not hearing those differences. > > David Love > davidlovepianos@comcast.net > www.davidlovepianos.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf > Of Ron Nossaman > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:01 AM > To: Pianotech List > Subject: Re: Ebony bridge caps > > > > > I'm not certain in "which way" you mean that they don't seem copromised, > > but I'd like to make a general observation about bridges here. I have > > only my limited experience to share, and what I've been told by others > > about this subject. I have 3 identical pianos (same size, same scale, > > same board thickness, same ribbing, same bracing, same rim structure, > > same belly rail, same type of hammers, etc.) with 3 different types of > > bridges. One has a solid maple bridge, no cap, one has a vertically > > laminated body of maple and mahogany with hardwood caps, and one has a > > vertically laminated body of maple, ebony, and mahogany with hardwood > > caps. I understand that the characteristics of the wood of the board, > > ribs, differnces in hammers even with the same manufacturer and same > > model,, etc. However, the difference in sound between these pianos is > > gargantuous, far exceeding any differences caused by the differences of > > the boards or hammers. The solid bridge is the least efficient. Nice > > warm sound, ok duration, but no power. The 2nd has around 30% more of > > both, and the 3rd yet another 30%. Apparently something is going on > > between the string and the soundboard which is causing a marked > > difference in the sound of the pianos. I'm thinking it's the bridges. > > A reasonable conclusion. It likely *is* the bridges. What do > the three different bridges weigh, do you suppose, and how > does the MOE of the three compare? > Ron N > > <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Play free games, earn tickets, get cool prizes! Join Live Search Club.   <a href="http://club.live.com/home.aspx?icid=CLUB_wlmailtextlink" target="_new">Join Live Search Club!</a> </div> </body> </html>