Article about bridge agraffes - function, types

[John Delacour]

At 20:52 +0100 18/11/06, Calin Tantareanu wrote:

>I have uploaded an article on my website about the function and different
>types of bridge agraffes.
>This is the direct link:
>http://calin.haos.ro/c/instruments/bridge_agraffes/index.htm
>
>Let me know what you think. I'd also like to know if you have any other
>pictures & information which I could add to the article.

An interesting article, Calin.  Thank you.

I have a totally irrational aversion to these frightful things.  I 
think you might mention the effect the various types have on the 
tuning stability of the piano.  I have never met a tuner who does not 
curse the Broadwood bridge agraffes.  You might also mention that 
many of the better makers have capped the treble end of the bridge 
with boxwood.

No matter how shallow these devices they reduce the height of the 
bridge compared with what it would be without them in a given piano, 
and bridge height is a most important, and too often neglected, 
factor in tone-building.

It might also be mentioned that whatever advantages at the 
termination of the speaking length Stuart aims to gain, he is enabled 
by the use of his 3-bearing stud to achieve the "floating 
soundboard", with no down-bearing, to what advantage I was unable to 
detect when I met one of his pianos.  At the same event he claimed 
that these things favoured the vertical excursions of the vibrating 
strings.  No movies were shown to back up this claim.

I am sure others will have interesting experience and views to share 
on this topic.  So far as I'm concerned these very expensive toys go 
against the grain of the craftsman.

JD