[pianotech] YC Capo Bars

[Roger Gable]

Sorry, My last sentence should have read: If machined, then from a 
production standpoint, it wouldn't make any difference if the cap or bridge 
is laminated or solid.
Roger Gable
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger Gable" <roger at gablepiano.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] YC Capo Bars


> Ron & Will,
> Well, I think we're unknowingly talking about two different things -- a 
> laminated bridge verses a laminated cap. The lousy pianos I'm referring to 
> have laminated bridges -- laminated entirely from top to bottom. Is there 
> a top quality piano using laminated bridges? I think not. Help me here. I 
> would think that a progressive manufacturer like Yamaha would have 
> incorporated laminated bridges if it didn't deflect from the quality level 
> they've already established. Correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I thought that 
> the high production manufacturers machined the notching rather than hand 
> notch. If machined, then it wouldn't make any difference if the cap (or 
> bridge) is laminated or solid.
> Roger Gable
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ron Nossaman" <rnossaman at cox.net>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 5:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] YC Capo Bars
>
>
>> On 9/19/2010 6:57 PM, Roger Gable wrote:
>>> Ron,
>>> Yes, you're correct to pick up my association of bad sound to lousy
>>> pianos. Let's digress a little. Why do some manufacturers laminate and
>>> others not. Lamination provides for a better string termination because
>>> of the grain orientation and is, by far, easier to manufacture, but why
>>> hasn't there been a ground swell toward the laminated bridge?
>>> Roger Gable
>>
>>
>> The grain orientation is a non issue in a laminated cap. You're making 
>> what amounts to a fiber reinforced plastic bridge cap. The hardness and 
>> density is what does the job. Laminated caps are both more difficult and 
>> expensive to build, and harder to notch than solid wood caps. That, I 
>> presume, is why so few manufacturers are using them. That, and the 
>> presumption of the techs out in the field that they are inferior because 
>> they haven't heard one in a decent piano.
>>
>> Ron N
>>
>
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