Flatstrung vs straightstrung

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: December 02, 2001 6:11 AM
Subject: Re: Negative bearing


> Del Fandrich said:
>
> "One of the sweetest pianos I've ever encountered
> was a Chickering flatstrung piano which did have the bridges converging on
> the center of the soundboard (more-or-less). Difficult bridge to drill and
> notch, though."
>
> What is a flatstrung piano? I assume this is not indicating a
> straight-strung piano - or is it?
>
> Terry Farrell
>


I've been trying to train myself to say 'flatstrung' as opposed to
'straightstrung' when referring to instruments in which the stringing is
laid out in a single plane. 'Straightstrung' implies that the strings go
straight back from the front termination, but they don't always. At least
not in the more heavily strung later instruments like the Chickering. The
strings angled toward the center of the board. There are also
'straightstrung' instruments such as the earlier Broadwoods in which the
strings did run straight back. 'Flatstrung' covers both.

Del