Ideal speaking length of A-0

[Brian Trout]

Hi all,

Actually, Ron N. brought this up in the "Re: Soundboard Size Perspective" 
thread, but it's a fairly specific question that perhaps Ron N, or Ron O, or 
Del F or Roger J... or maybe a few others I'm not acquainted with... might 
have a reasoned answer to.

What is the ideal SPEAKING length of A-0, or whatever you choose to call 
that lowest string in the scale?

Given my choice, I will normally choose to relocate the bass bridge to 
maximize possible bass bridge tail lengths, which actually makes the wound 
strings have the SHORTEST speaking length practically possible.  (Usually, 
it's not all that big a change in the longest of the bass strings, but that 
varies by piano.)

Another tech and I were discussing this and he was of the opinion that it is 
desirable to have the longest speaking length possible.

Although I would agree that a longer speaking length is preferred over a 
shorter one, I am keenly aware that there must be an adequate length between 
the back side of the bridge and the hitch pin to allow freedom of movement.

My question is, if one were able to move that bridge out into the soundboard 
as far as you wanted to, where would it cease to be a good thing to shorten 
the speaking length any further?  When moving the bridges out into the 
soundboard, how far is too far?  At what point would you be harming the 
quality of the sound as opposed to improving it?  How much tail length is 
enough?  Would there be any relationship between the backscale length and 
the speaking length?  (a ratio, perhaps?)

Yeah, I know, that's more than one question, but I'd sure like to have a 
better handle on it myself.  Normally, one can't move the low end of the 
bass bridge far, but when permitted, I try to do the best I can.

Any thoughts, guys?  I'm listening.

Thanks,

Brian T.


>From: Ron Nossaman <RNossaman@cox.net>
>Subject: Re: Soundboard Size Perspective
>Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 23:51:26 -0600
>
>It's great, isn't it? Two of the most touted sales features - large 
>soundboard area and longest possible A-0 speaking length - are both 
>actually counterproductive to performance.
>
>Ron N
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives


_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*  
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail