>Ron >I've tried this techinque on a couple of my grands. The first time I saw it >was on an1898 Chickering. The vertical cut of the notch was just behind the >center of the bridge pin and only a milimeter deep- imperceptable until the >bridge caps were cleaned. Inspite of the old stringa and dirt in the >notches, the piano had a remarkably clear sound (taking in the other factors >that contribute to this). With that experience, I tried it on the next >restringing that did not require new bridge caps (my pianos). Again better >termination-cleaner sound. My grands were sold and have been performing well >for several years. I've since tried it on other makes that have been in for >restringing etc. and all the clients are very pleased. When I go to service >these pianos, some string setting is necessary before tuning and that >clarity is restored. >Paul Chick Hi Paul, I tried it on a couple of pianos too, some years back. It didn't strike me as sounding any cleaner than any other decent notch, so I went back to the more "standard" notching. I just offered it as a solution to the bridge/string termination point moving forward as the string crushes into the bridge top. I've personally found more string noise problems with loose and worn bridge pins than with worn notches, so I'm not all that sure it's a real big deal anyway. Del points out that support is lost at the string termination with this kind of notch, which certainly has to be the case, so, if anything, I would think it ought to lose you some power and clarity. Ron N
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