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<DIV><FONT size=2>I'm restringing a Steinway A (6'4") c 1925. =
The bearing
measurements are as follows:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Note
#
80 60
40
22 10</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=2>Front +.030=
+.018 +.012
.000 .000</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT =
size=2>Back
-.018 -.012
+.006 .000 +.015</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The negative bearing on the back of the treble =
portion of the
bridge and the low bearing in the upper part of the tenor section are my =
concerns. It appears to be related to the height of the =
aliquots. My
thought was to grind them down. Moving them forward would =
lower the
bearing but would detune them. The positive bearing on the back of =
the
bass bridge can be reduced with a bit of felt at the hitch pins. =
Any
comments on the following questions:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>1. Is that the best way to =
proceed?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>2. What is a good target for positive bearing =
on the
back of the bridge?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>3. How critical is the bearing on the back of =
the bridge
for tone production. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>4. Will not correcting it create concerns for =
rolling
the bridge forward over time? (though it hasn't done so yet
apparently)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>5. What method would you use for thinning the
aliquots?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Part 2:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The soundboard has small unopened cracks. =
There is no
rib separation, some of the cracks do not even go through. =
Normally,
because they are so small, I would simply scrape the board clean and =
refinish
without shimming. In this case, the customer (have you heard this =
before)
wants to only spend money on items that affect musicality or structural
integrity--cosmetics is unimportant. Because the cracks have =
compromised
the varnish seal over the board, is there any potential down side to not =
refinishing the board. The finish overall is in good =
condition.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>