----- Original Message ----- From: <JIMRPT@aol.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: May 28, 2003 8:24 AM Subject: Re: Stringing Braid and the perception of doing it right > Cy; > Back when I was in a particuarly anal retentative phase I tried using some > small bean bag type thingees in the shop....(velour filed with sand actually) I > used various sizes such as one note, three note and six note lengths. So > reducing back length noise was simple and easy to move around. The sound, as Ron > has said was changed and was a tad fuller overall. Worth the effort?? I am > ambivalent but remain open minded on the subject..I hope! :-) String braid does > not truly dampen 'all' vibration in the back scale, rather it reduces it by > shortening the cycle???....this while still leaving the flexibilty for the > board/bridge to work with???? > If a particular thingee doesn't need braid then it is 'perhaps' better to > leave it out......but doing this should be a well considered and deliberate > decision..... > My view. > Jim Bryant (FL) > _______________________________________________ Stringing braid dampens (or, rather, prevents) sympathetic vibrations in individual backscale string segments. When the piano is sounding--i.e. the primary string segment, or "speaking length," is vibrating--these backscale string segments are in motion by virtue of being solidly connected to the moving bridge. Since vibrating piano strings do not vibrate at single, or fundamental, frequencies but have a multiplicity of partials and motions it is likely--regardless of the backscale design scheme--that one or more backscale string segments will be sympathetic with at least one or more partials of the speaking length. Just like the vibrating speaking length these backscale lengths can--and do--drive the bridge. Often at an objectionable level and frequency. As well, if they are not otherwise controlled they can--will--continue driving the soundboard well after the dampers have stilled the vibrating primary string segments. By preventing the backscale length from freely vibrating these spurious vibrations and their resultant sounds can easily be eliminated. This does not mean that the backscale string lengths are not vibrating, however. They are still tracking the motion of the bridge. They are just not developing sympathetic vibrations capable of producing extraneous sounds coming from the soundboard. Like Ron, I tend to leave the braid out unless it is deemed necessary by actual performance. Extraneous sounds, damping problems, etc., are indications that it is necessary. But these do not show up in all pianos and I don't mind threading the braid in through the bass strings when necessary. Del
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