Bechstein false beats.

[btrout@desupernet.net]

Hi Peter,

I've not tuned a Bechstein yet, so I can't address Bechstein false beats in
particular, but I'll throw out my two cents on false strings.

There are several things that can cause a single string to beat.

One is problems of one nature or another with the termination points of the
speaking length of the string.  Sometimes there will be a bridge notch that will
be too far front or back on the bridge and the notch doesn't drop away from the
string at the center of the bridge pin.  Unfortunately, there are a number of
manufacturers who don't seem to care how accurate their notching is, and it
shows when you go to tune them.  (No matter how hard you try, it's never quite
in tune...)  At the other end of the string, there can be problems at the capo
bar or agraffe.  If the angle of deflection is too small or too large, there can
be some odd things happen in the speaking length, although I think the too small
angle would tend to drain energy from the speaking length and the to large angle
would tend to cause other problems like equalization and such.  Either one could
be argued as a poor termination point.

Another thing that can cause problems with false strings is a mistuned or out of
tune duplex, either front or rear (or both).  I haven't run into a major problem
with this one, but on some pianos, the duplex(s) can really scream.  A few are
tunable if you have the desire, but laying your tool pouch or something similar
on the duplex section can shut them up for you while you tune.

Another one that can cause a string to beat is a twist or kink in the wire.
I've heard that some people have had some success with beat suppresser type
tools.  I suspect that a tool of that nature would tend to stretch the kinks out
of the wire.  I'm not sure about this one.  Some techs will just replace an odd
string.  A whole section might be another story.

I'm not sure if it would cause a false string effect, but if the strings are not
seated fully on the bridge, I would suspect that there could be some weird types
of noises, who knows, maybe even a false string?

Just some random thoughts.  There are probably other reasons that I'm just not
thinking of right now.  I hope you'll receive other responses, maybe others that
have worked on Bechsteins.

Good luck,

Brian Trout
Quarryville, Pa.

Peter Kestens wrote:

> KESTENS.P@DEBCOM.BE
> BELGIUM
>
> I tuned about a week ago a Bechstein grand; is it normal one hears that much
> false beats while tuning?  I don't say it's impossible to do a good job, but
> easy is something totally different.  And where do these beats come from?
> Only inharmonicity would be to easy to tell (I think).
> Thanks for your reply.
> Peter