Sarah Fox wrote: > 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? Oh no no no.... I suppose its easy to be tempted to think this, until the first time you actually stretch a string across the bridge without pins. No, we definatly need some device to secure the string tightly to the bridge... the only question is how tightly, and perhaps if it should be tighter at one part of the bridge then another. Bridge pins do the job allright, but they are the source of several problems as wear and climate takes its toll on the instrument. > > > 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??? I've heard it stated by some pretty accomplished builders that the most important thing about downbearing is to keep from pulling the bridge off the soundboard. Heck even Del has raised a pinky once or twice about the whole downbearing question. > > What performance benefit(s) does the current design offer? What problem(s) > does it prevent? Its easy and cheap, and anyone with reasonable tools and skill can install them. > > 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! Try it out !... but think about your violin for a sec... just how much downbearing is there in comparison, and just how is the string excited. Bridge pins are here to stay until someone comes up with a better solution, and that includes being just as cheap and easy to install. > > Peace, > Sarah > -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. UiB, Bergen, Norway mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC