Thomas, I agree with Frank Hubbard's claim that for a case such as a 
harpsichord case to remain undistorted under stress it is only necessary 
to keep the plan view of the case at the bottom and at the top from 
distorting. The bottom of the case is held solidly by the bottom itself 
and the bottom braces which cross it to prevent it from bowing. The 
upper edge is held in its shape by the upper braces which cross from 
just beneath the liner to the belly rail or spine. The most efficient 
and resistant-to-stress for that kind of bracing are braces which are 
perpendicular to the bentside. Admittedly, the thrust of the braces is 
communicated to the spine and belly rail but they are likewise supported 
by the rise of the bottom braces (spine) or the thrust borne by the 
necessarily thicker belly rail is somewhat less. The paradigm for such 
bracing is to be found among the harpsichords made by Taskin.

The Ruckers instruments are similar, though their upper bracing is not 
as perpendicular to the bentside, particularly in the treble. Obviously, 
they got it close enough to right that their scantlings were sufficient 
to resist the strain. Those who got it obviously wrong were the English, 
the antique harpsichords most susceptible to the dread "cheek sickness". 
One look at their bracing schemes tells the story. They had no concept 
of bracing the bentside against distortion and filled their cases with 
scatter shot bracing in hopes of providing direct resistance (somehow) 
to the tension of the strings. In Hubbard's view, /the rigidity of the 
case/ should do the work.

My view too.

Rob

-- 
ROBERT BROOKE HARPSICHORDS
4214 18th Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34205

www.robertbrookeharpsichords.com

941-746-6725


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