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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>David and List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have never seen it, but I have been =
told that
Stuart pianos from the Land Down Under also have this agraffe set-up on =
their
bridges or something like that. I also wouldn't mind seeing a picture of =
it, but
my understanding is that the agraffes are of the type that are split =
down the
midddle and look (from above) as a big screw head (flat screwdriver), =
with one
of the sides lower than the other and with holes for the strings drilled =
at the
base of the taller side. I've often seen such agraffes on various =
pianos. I
wonder if this is what Stuart pianos have on their bridges.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As far as the ripple effect is =
concerned (just
think of the wonderful implications on sound propagation down the =
soundboard, ha
ha ), I think that could be solved by setting the agraffes on the bridge =
pointing, alternately, towards the front or the back of the instrument.
This, as I see it, and I may be wrong, would: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>a: reduce downbearing =
to symbolic proportions (not THAT good a thing), </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>b: assure good =
contact of the
strings with the bridge (VERY good thing),</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>c: eliminate =
soundboard
ripple-related angst (DEBATABLE ...)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The major hitch here (no pun intended), =
is that it
would subject the bridge to strain that could easily lead it to =
convulsions.
Possible solution: 3-inch wide bridges fitted with titanium =
reinforcement
braces ... ??? Aw well, maybe not ...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jean-Jacques Granas</FONT></DIV>
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