V Pro discussion

[Richard Brekne]

Newton Hunt wrote:

> >  These casting methods are superb for producing economical internal combustion engine blocks, but
> >  for quality piano plates they are unacceptable."
>
> The only way to test his assertion is to make two plates, one cast in
> vacuum and cooled slowly and one cast in the vacuum process and test
> their energy damping characteristics.
>
> Comparing the characteristics of two separate plate designs is
> inherently impossible.  Far too many variables as to metal content,
> thickness, strut placement, etc., etc.
>
> Hence Ed's contention is insupportable.
>
>                 Newton

Hmmm.... nor is it refuted. I am not anykind of an expert in this area,
yet I know Ed personally and he
generally knows a bit about what he is talking about. Rarely makes
assertions without some kind of hard
knowledge. That being said, I have always had the impression that Yamaha
has a bit of a metalic sound,
which seems to fit his point. Tho I will be the first to admit that this
sound is much less "present"
in the pianos coming out of Yamaha these past few years as it had been
some years ago. Ed's contention
is interesting, and it would explain a lot of things. (why for expample
other factories in the face of
otherwise overwhelming economic reasons would not retool, in spite of
that cost).

In any case Ed's view seems to be shared in so many words by many of the
reps from European factories I
have met.

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway