<html> <body> At 09:21 PM 2/21/2004 -0600, Ron Nossman wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><blockquote type=cite class=ci= te cite><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>From recent discussions, I don't know if negative front bearing is viewed as an issue of much concern any longer, but, in any case, I think all this might help the consistency of the information people supply with this tool. David Skolnik</blockquote></blockquote> Of course it's an issue of concern. Why wouldn't it be?</blockquote> Hi Ron N Sitting in my draft file since 2/2/04 is my attempt to effectively respond to your last post in the thread "No downbearing: REVISITED".  I know you felt I was not being clear in what I was trying to say at that time, and, while I felt quite frustrated by the communication break down, I also felt as though the interchange had lost the interest of the list, in general. The inevitable consequence of this lack of resolution of what are probably semantic misunderstandings is that the same disagreements continue to reappear.  Let me try again to ask my questions clearly and/ or make sure I am understanding your position correctly. WARNING!! Any perception of 'tone' or attitude is a function of either the reader's projection or the writer's fatigue. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><blockquote type=cite= class=cite cite>downbearing is to compress the board to raise it's impedance to meet the requirements of the string scale. It isn't to enhance the coupling between the string and the bridge surface. The bridge pins do that quite nicely.</blockquote></blockquote> How would you define "coupling", in this case?  Does the front edge of the bridge play any role in defining the string termination?  If so, how is that function affected by 1) no contact (string climbing pin- see next quote  2) glancing contact with no force 3) some downward pressure?  If it does not, does it have any function other than supporting the bridge pin? <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>I don't see any possibility of a string riding up a bridge pin unless the pin is near vertical, and the bearing is negative. Bridge pins set at a 20° slant, with a 10° offset angle will hold a string to a bridge top even with some negative bearing.</blockquote> Are you saying that a string riding up a bridge pin would require BOTH negative downbearing AND near-straight bridge pins?  It's true that, without the bridge pins, there could be NO negative downbearing, and that until the string DOES move up, negative front bearing simply represents a potential instability, though, as a component of negative net downbearing, it also represents an absence of impedance-enhancing loading, albeit on one string.  In any case, it's hard for me to believe that you have not encountered innumerable examples of strings which visibly settle downward when tapped (gently). <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>The side bearing from this offset, and the slant of the bridge pin, clamps the string to the bridge top.</blockquote> It's the "clamping" concept I'm having trouble with.  If there is positive downbearing, the need for further clamping would seem somewhat redundant.  If there is negative downbearing,  and thus, no bridge loading, what is the purpose of clamping the string to the bridge surface?  Wouldn't the vibrational energy be conducted to the bridge by the pins, even without the bridge surface contact? My problem with the concept and terminology of "clamping" is that it encourages an image of the string exerting a vertical pulling and pushing force upon the bridge, which I believe is inaccurate. DS asked: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><blockquote type=cite class=ci= te cite><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><blockquote type=cite= class=cite cite>Are there any builders or rebuilders out there who would, with no hesitation, put out a product which had zero or negative downbearing?</blockquote></blockquote>Ron N replied: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>With an existing soundboard, no.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> Ron N also said: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> if the soundboard wasn't designed for zero to negative bearing, I surely wouldn't accept anyone's assurances that zero to negative bearing measured in the piano wasn't a problem.</blockquote> Good.  So, what are your concerns with negative downbearing? David Skolnik RPT, DBH </body> </html>