Tuning the Duplex (was ...Capo)

[Jason Kanter]

Thanks much. I will watch the online movie later. Looks like you are doing
exactly what I am looking for. However, I recommend you stay away from
argumentation with these erudite and opinionated guys. Their hearts are big
but challenging their expertise is a losing proposition and energy drain.

Ron, I am certain that Herr Steinway would have loved to discuss soundboard
design with you and would probably have changed the design after learning
from you.
----- Original Message -----
From: <Duplexdan@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 9:26 PM
Subject: Re: Tuning the Duplex (was ...Capo)


> To J Kanter, Gordon and Colleagues interested in Duplex Tuning,
>
> The entry on e-mail has a number of questions which are all directed to
> improving piano tone by tuning the duplex scale. Although I have never
> pretended to be an authority on the subject I am the inventor of the
Duplex
> Slider, have a patent on a method, and do practice the art. I am familiar
> with all your questions having asked them of myself, and with your
permission
> I'd like to share some of my answers to assist you.
>
> The hammer and screwdriver method was the first "primitive" method used by
> the original tuners of the duplex scale in the Steinway Factory. I know
that,
> because I know and have had extensive conversations with the tuners and
> stringers who were descendants of the original technicians of the factory.
By
> the way, it was a few of these technicians who helped me develop the
method
> that we now have at our disposal.
>
> This method was useful as long as Steinway was manufacturing the plates as
> well as the innards. Back in the days of yore the adjustment of the duplex
> bridges was usually minor because of the integrity of the matchup between
the
> plate and the board and bridge assembly. However, since the pre WWII days
I
> have found that the placement of the duplex bridges has become less exact
and
> requires a bit more attention if the duplex scale is to be in tune with
the
> scale of the speaking length and still adhere to Steinway's principles as
> explained in his patent 126848.
>
> Therefore I invented the Duplex Slider to facilitate the procedure. You
can
> find out more about the tool and the procedure on my website
> Singingtone@AOL.com,
>
> In the live video you will notice that the first step is to ascertain if
the
> duplex needs tuning, whether it is sharp or flat. Then I absolutely lower
the
> tension of the strings on each duplex harmonic bridge before I move it
> because the down bearing is too much to allow perpendicular movement of
the
> bridge under the strings by tapping it with any sort of tool, in my
> experience. I lower the tension a bit less than a quarter turn of the
tuning
> lever.
>
> As far as the muting felt is concerned, I have found that certain
> manufacturers insert it in duplex sections simply because they do not
either
> know how to, or care to , tune the duplex scale. In many pianos that have
> come out since Steinway invented the feature, such as Fazioli, and the new
M
> & H you will not find a felt strip in these instruments, but I am sure you
> will be delighted to listen to the perfection of the tuning of the duplex
> scale compared to the speaking lengths.
>
> Hope this has been helpful.
>
> Dan Franklin
> Singing Tone
> Duplexdan@aol.com