Counter bearing treatment

[Paul]

Del
I've done this on a couple of Baldwin grands and it ideed improved the
tuning "feel." It also made it easy to tidy up the bottom of the coils on
the pins. A strip of belly felt was installed to quiet the string segments
between the new "mound" and the tuning pins. To date I have had no
complaints ro problems.

Paul Chick
Plainview MN
----- Original Message -----
From: Delwin D Fandrich <pianobuilders@olynet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2000 10:40 AM
Subject: Re: Counter bearing treatment


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jon Page <jonpage@mediaone.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: January 10, 2000 5:23 PM
> Subject: Counter bearing treatment
>
>
> > I recently restrung a Baldwin R and instead of recovering
> > the tenor counter-bearing with felt, I replaced it with a half
> > round bearing bent to the curve. Tuning is this area is much
> > easier and there seems to be no adverse sympathetic
> > vibrations. I am considering this replacement on another
> > popular brand with a wide felt area in this location.
> >
> > Aside from "tradition" and/or cosmetics is there a real reason
> > for this application?
>
> No.  But, as you are finding out, there are several good reasons for
making
> changes along the lines you are investigating.  Tuning -- especially over
> the long term -- will be improved.  Usually you will provide better string
> termination at the agraffe due to the slightly increased string angles.
You
> will be able to provide a better string angle relationship with the tuning
> pin.  Etc.
>
>
>
> > I think I read somewhere of the availability of hardened or rolled
> > steel for this purpose. I just utilized a rod I had and fashioned a
> > half-round suitable for the application.
>
> This bar does not have to be hardened.  Indeed, it doesn't even have to be
> steel.  We typically use half-round or half-oval brass of an appropriate
> thickness.
>
>
>
> > My experience has been that felt in this area creates a considerable
> > amount of friction, whereas a steel counter-bearing creates less.
>
> Well, I certainly would not count removing some 15 to 30 mm of felted
> friction surface for the string to drag over as a disadvantage.
>
> Del
>
>