Hi All,  Just passing on some information I received this morning
regarding damper placement.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle

 - - -

Subject: Damper Placement

This has traditionally been determined by ear.  It is chosen by the
sustain time of the notes through the treble section.  In most pianos
of traditional design the sustain falls off at such a rapid rate that
the damper is not really needed much beyond #65 to #68.  The upright
we built for a few years had a particularly strong treble section and
required [dampers up through] #72.

In grand pianos the number of dampers is somewhat limited by the design
of the belly rail and by the hammer strike point on the string.  The
designer simply runs out of room somewhere around #68 to #70.

The grand piano we are preparing to build (at 200 cm) will also use
72 dampers, but it required some rather tricky engineering to make room
for them.

I hope this answers your question, if not, ask again.

Regards, Del

Delwin D Fandrich, Piano Designer & Builder
Hoquiam, Washington  USA
E.mail:  pianobuilders@olynet.com
Web Site:  http://pianobuilders.olynet.com/