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<DIV><FONT face=Arial> <FONT size=3>Dan writes</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3> It has been interesting to note=
that<STRONG> </STRONG>generally a piano with "comparatively" (That is compa=
red to the many other pianos I service) good bearing will, as a rule, have m=
ore power and sustain than those with little or none<STRONG>. It has also be=
en of interest that most pianos will have varying degrees of bearing dependi=
ng on where you measure along the bridge and, again, differing measurements =
from bass to treble bridge on the same piano. I cannot confirm this with sci=
entific accuracy as of yet but it appears that there is generally a direct c=
orrelation between lack of bearing and weak tone in a particular area of a</=
STRONG> <STRONG>piano</STRONG></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT size=3> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Dan --I find this phenomena in most pianos. It ma=
y be just 1 note & it can be right next to a note that sings. I'll =
even swap the hammers to see if this is the difference & it never i=
s. Plucking the strings will reveal this as well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I belive it's some form of design impedance or lac=
k of it that cause this anomlaly. Once you start noticing this you can find =
this on many pianos.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> It is true that if bearing is set inconsistently =
,that sections of notes will be affected.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Typically a loss of crown& thus bearing=
will effect the killer octave first but just as common in my practice =
I'll find a group of notes in octave 4 from about f thru d that have a =
weak sustain & a thwack type impact sound.</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue =
2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>.(i.e. many pianos have very poor tonal charac=
teristics at the end of the treble bridge, crossing over to the bass. Very o=
ften, little or no bearing exists at this spot on the bridge. More than a co=
incidence, I think.)</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV> <FONT size=3>This is caused by different things. Low string te=
nsions for one, lack of bridge mass. or stiffness int he board by being to c=
lose to the rim but not usually bearing unless its severe.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Dale Erwin</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"=
>Erwins Pianos Restorations <BR>4721 Parker Rd.<BR>Modesto, Ca 95357<BR>209-=
577-8397<BR>Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales<BR>www.Erwinspiano.co=
m</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>