<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> Erwinspiano@aol.com wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE> <blockquote TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> <blockquote TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">      Well I was wondering if support is the issue why not add a short stiff beam and another nose bolt. It seams like the same idea would be accomplished with less fuss.       Dale Erwin</blockquote>        Typically, we leave the bell and add a beam.  ------Del  </blockquote>          Hi  Del     Can you describe decernible tonal differences that you can attribute to the stiffness created by adding the extra beam or is just for good measure in hopes of supporting  the rib scale improvements etc? Also one does not wish to be thought of as nuts for removing such a stalwart stwy invention (the bell).              Dale Erwin  </blockquote> Actually strikes me as a good experiment to take on an older instrument. Could be done just prior to rebuilding, I suppose one could even contrive a way of doing something to the effect of this without even taking tension down on the piano. Measure in what ways one could before and after the change relavant parameters of sustain and power.     -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. UiB, Bergen, Norway <A HREF="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</A> <A HREF="http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html">http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html</A>  </html>