Virtual Ribs, A new crown support method

[Ric Brekne]

Hi David

Yes, the soundboard is forced up. Impair movement of the soundboard ? 
Well yes... that is in a sense what supplying stiffness does. One can do 
that in many ways.  Traditionally rib dimensions, thickness of the 
panel, proximity to soundboard termination points... and other 
mechanisms are used yes ??.

But there is no real reason why you cant supply crown support and 
stiffness in other fashions. What I like about this idea is that it 
relies on a kind of virtual beam... not really connected to the 
soundboard physically.  Similiar to Dels idea with valve springs in 
concept, yet no physical contact between panel and the support system 
for the springs. Combined with ribbing either any kind of soundboard 
assembly you can get all kinds of auxiliary support.  In the case of an 
old flat panel, you can restore significantly a condition of crown which 
very closely compares to the origional I would think.  It certainly made 
a big difference in the sound on this beater.  The workable range seems 
to be between 2 and 5 mm seperation.  That ends up being quite a range 
of adjustment in terms of pounds of pressure. What a SB designer can do 
with the idea .... who knows ?

I put two of these on a scale the other day... on mounted on the scale, 
the other forced against it by hand.. I could get fairly easily 60 
pounds of pressure before my hand was not stable enough to hinder 
sideslip.  Magnets have to be alligned pretty carefully when used like 
this.

Cheers
RicB

Hi Ric,

As I understand it...magnets opposing each other are aligned, one set in the bridge and one set along the beams 
under the bridge.   The soundboard is forced up?   Is is possible this would impair movement of the soundboard?  
Are you drilling a hole in the bridge and inserting one of the magnets there?   Interesting experiment ...

David Ilvedson