THAT MYSTERIOUS BACK CHECK

[PNOTNR@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-11-09 06:00:19 EST, you write:

>Hi Gordon!
>I am terribly sorry but I do not know the term "wave envelope", could you
>enlarge my pea brain somewhat please?
>
>
>friendly greetings from:
>
>André Oorebeek
>CONCERT PIANO SERVICE
>Amsterdam, the Netherlands


Hi Andre,

I guess I wasn't using the term in it's strict sense.  I think of the wave
envelope as the area occupied by the string while it is vibrating, (I think I
got the term from Chris Robinson).   But what I was refering to was that the
area just beyond that.  I learned somewhere that if a hammer checks too high,
(especially in the bass) the hammer head can interfere with the air currents
coming off the string, so if you increase the checking distance, the tone may
improve.

You are saying that raising the backcheck improves the tone.  So what I
mentioned is the opposite, but my point was to question whether the position
of the hammer head when in check is having an effect on  the string.

Clear as mud?

Gordon Large, RPT
Maine