<HTML>In a message dated 12/18/2002 4:03:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, sbellieu@mindspring.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj: Re: Bridgetop Extravaganza Revisited Date: 12/18/2002 4:03:28 PM Pacific Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:sbellieu@mindspring.com">sbellieu@mindspring.com</A> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet      Steve</BLOCKQUOTE>         Could you share how it is you're measuring 1.5 degrees of bearing on the bass and with what. If the rear string length was 8 inches( possible on a D) 8 Times .026=.208 or (1.5 degrees) of distance bearing . Considering this bass bridge has no cantilever  I don't mind seeing this at the top end of the bridge but I'd like to see .05 degrres in the mono section. That being said I've seen D basses set up with more than that that sounded great and ones with nominal bearing or none that sounded somewhat  weak. Where's the beef?   What's really there has or will come to light with the strings off no doubt.        Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> Greg,     It's definitely quartersawn.  I don't think it's a candidate for recapping for two reasons.  The board is dead flat across the bass bridge and lower tenor bridge (as measured from the top and confirmed on the bottom).  Also I have learned the piano was purchased by the client new some 16 yrs ago.  I have no intention of condemning this piano.  It sounded ok before.  Not spectacular bass but I have heard much worse.  I'm anticipating tight new bridge pins are going to contribute to tonal improvement up higher.     I'm wondering about the bearing in the bottom of the piano.  How it was originally set.  Strung it showed a full 1.5 deg across the bass bridge and almost nothing on the bottom two feet of the tenor bridge.(also no front bearing in both of these locations)  Is this what flattened out the tail ?  If I relieve some of the bearing across the bass bridge will this improve the situation?  I'm used to seeing older pianos with little bearing on the bass bridge.  Opinions?   Steve Bellieu   </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>