Schiedmeier Pianos and under bridge structure

[Delwin D Fandrich]

It would add both mass and stiffness to the bridge and, hence, to the soundboard
assembly as a whole. At least along the tenor/treble bridge. I can see where
sustain would be good. Probably at the cost of some power but you may not notice
this much since you'd have to cut it in half to be able to hear the difference. 

I've done something similar, though not nearly as extensive, on a non-descript
grand I rebuilt some years back which had a bridge that was between 20 and 25 mm
tall. I sistered it below the soundboard (and between the ribs) with strips of
maple that were about 10 (treble) to 15 mm (low tenor) tall and just as wide as
the top bridge (about 32 mm, if memory serves). The end result was pretty good
but I didn't have any before sound to compare with as the piano was unplayable
when it came to me.

The only other similar arrangement I recall was on a Sohmer grand using bridge
agraffes. The agraffes were similar to standard plate agraffes but with very
long studs with threads similar to those found on wood screws of the time. The
studs went all the way through the top bridge, the soundboard and ended up in
the lower bridge. This piano also had exceptional sustain.

Del 


| -----Original Message-----
| From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org 
| [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Love
| Sent: July 05, 2007 8:30 PM
| To: 'Pianotech List'
| Subject: Schiedmeier Pianos and under bridge structure
| 
| 
| 
| Tuned a Schiedmeier piano today (7' grand) and decided, as is 
| my tendency, to crawl under and examine the belly.  There was 
| a duplicate bridge structure, about the same height, that ran 
| the entire length of the long bridge (sorry no picture), 
| attached to the soundboard directly underneath the topside 
| bridge.  There were cutouts along the length to allow the 
| ribs to pass through untouched.  It is obviously, for mass 
| loading, at least.  The piano has fabulous sustain and 
| clarity and I'd be curious to know if any other pianos or 
| piano designers employ such a structure or see the benefit of 
| doing so.  The structure, btw, did not exist underneath the 
| bass bridge.  
| 
| David Love
| davidlovepianos at comcast.net
| www.davidlovepianos.com
| 
| 
| 
|