S&S D Duplex

[Duplexdan@aol.com]

Robin,

I do appreciate and enjoy reading your dissertations on string vibration. I 
would not attempt to discuss this with you on your level of experience with 
physics because you have obviously reached a level of  theoretical analysis 
that I do not presume to
have reached. On the other hand I would offer to you the "billiard ball 
argument". To state it categorically, duplexophobes and duplexophiliacs ( I 
am enchanted by your enhancement of the duplex vocabulary) are "behind the 
eight ball" . In this regard.

If the 8 ball is touching another, say the 4 ball, and you strike the 8 ball 
with the cue ball straight on, the 8 ball will not move, but the 4 ball will. 
The energy of the cue ball is transferred through the 8 ball to the 4 ball. 
And so it may be possible that although the bridge pins do not move, and the 
toatl string length between the outer and inner bridge pins do not move, 
either, that the energy from the impulse of a longitudinal wave is conferred 
on the duplex segment of the string, and around the hitch pin, and back 
towards the bridge and the speaking length.

But this is all "balltalk" and may be superfluous. The idea of ninths and 
flat fifths and major sevenths is inconsistent with the design of the duplex 
scale. If you are having qualms about the difference before and after tuning 
a duplex, may I suggest you do what I did 15 years ago. VIZ test the 
difference yourself with an analyzer. It does take some refocusing to fine 
tune your perception to the differences in tone, but the difference in 
sustain should be immediate.

Thank you for your serious input.

Dan Franklin