Question re: Bridge Pins

[Dave Bunch]

>>What would happen if a string were passed straight over the bridge without
pins, like on a violin? <<

No need to do any experiments. There are many pianos that have bridges that
have cracked and split to the point that the pins are moot and there is no
side bearing. The strings rattle and buzz like crazy. There is not enough
down bearing in the absence of side bearing. In pianos, the angle of
deflection as it passes over the bridge is very slight compared to a violin.
In fact, some pianos sound fine with no measurable downbearing, which would
not be possible without the side bearing provided by the bridge pins.

Dave Bunch
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sarah Fox" <sarah@gendernet.org>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 9:18 PM
Subject: Question re: Bridge Pins


> Hi Ric,
>
> > > Keep thinking.
> >
> > Grin... I AM... dont rush me already.... seems to me tho...that if you
> could
> > avoid the side bearing whilst maintaining the solid contact on the
> bridge.....
>
> I've always wondered about that.  I would presume the slant of the bridge
> pins and the severe angle of the string between pins is intended to keep
the
> string pressed firmly to the top surface of the bridge, but wouldn't the
> downbearing already achieve that?
>
> Perhaps the downbearing isn't severe enough on a piano (vs. other stringed
> instruments such as a violin) to maintain string/bridge contact during
> intense vibration???  Perhaps the additional pressure is needed in the
event
> that the soundboard flattens and the downbearing becomes too slight???
> Perhaps the consequence of not having the slanted pins and high lateral
> forces is that the string would sometimes buzz against the bridge
surface???
>
> What performance benefit(s) does the current design offer?  What
problem(s)
> does it prevent?
>
> What would happen if a string were passed straight over the bridge without
> pins, like on a violin?  What would happen?  How would it sound?  Has
anyone
> experimented with this?  (The appendix was once a "good idea," but it's
> become obsolete and problematic in our species.  Perhaps bridge pins are
> also an obsolete and problematic relic from early in piano history???)
>
> Thanks for any insights!
>
> Peace,
> Sarah
>
>
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