[CAUT] Killer Octave... so what ?

[David Love]

Right. We always talk about stiffness compromised treble sections in terms
of sustain, but it is interesting to note that on many historical pianos
with very light scales and similarly light weight, often older and not
terribly stiff assemblies, the sustain in the upper areas seems quite
adequate. The lower tension scales definitely have their own character but,
as has been argued many times, when the scale (and accompanying downbearing)
matches the soundboard assembly and with it you put a hammer of appropriate
weight/density/resilience, good things can happen. It's the mismatch between
those three components either by poor execution, design or change over time
that most often creates tonal problems--all other things being equal, of
course--and reduced to the simplest terms. At least that's my observation.


David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ron
Nossaman
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:24 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Killer Octave... so what ?


> Lower tension scales need lighter boards and vice versa.  If the board is
> compromised somewhat in terms of stiffness, why wouldn't reducing the
> tensions help somewhat?
> 
> David Love

Tension, and resulting bearing load, yes.
Ron N