<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: = #ffffff"> <DIV><FONT face=Tahoma><B>Subject:</B> Re: consistent downbearing measurements<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV> <DIV>     Greg</DIV> <DIV>   Some techs do not rebuild but only use them to see = if there is any residual bearing left in the 90 year old almost flat or flat  board. Under those conditions it's difficult to tell anything = with the gauge because of the bridge slope towards the rear & a sunken = crown/bridge as well  One gets really funky ideas of whats there & =  not there if you know what I mean. </DIV> <DIV> As to your useage , yes of course this what they're for. I = wasn't looking for trick answers. It would be nice if the gauge were fashione = from cast brass or iron for a more solid seat on the string.</DIV> <DIV>  Dale<BR></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=730474612-03062004>Could some explain the purpose = of downbearing, how much downbearing where?   I and others = I'm sure, have measured many a great sounding piano-even new ones-that had = almost no down bearing, or even negative downbearing.   Is there a text/book that describes such elements of piano construction?  = Maybe I'm standing too close to the trees to see the woods. </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=730474612-03062004></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=730474612-03062004>Paul C</SPAN></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>