Jon-o,
     Quick solution: Drill one more tuningpin hole to the right of the
others and simply move top string TP with string still on it into that hole.
Repeat till you have most of the treble moved. This can be done in a few
minutes,
   You won't lose any strings if careful and the sound improvement should be
drastically improved.
    If this works for you ,when you have more time you can plug and redrill
the bass according to the angle shown on the plan.
Jack Peters
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Pickett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 5:45 AM
Subject: Re: string angles


> Jon-o,
>
> I agree with Bill.
>
> The angle at the nut is not high enough.
>
> Important NOT to makes any changes until thoroughly analysed.  If you dont
> already have it, I suggest you get hold of the instructions from ZHI,
> telling you  how the tuning, nut and bridge pins are supposed to be
positioned.
>
> I notice that the 4ft is behind the 8ft and am not sure that this is the
> intention of the design.
>
> My instrument is a later model -- an 884 double.  But such things as
string
> positions are unlikely to have been changed drastically.
>
> I will take pictures of mine and write you later today about how my pins
> were determined.  I also did all this on the ZHI Italian I have just
> fininshed making.
>
> It has always been my experience that a lot of thinkng is needed to every
> action in building these things!  LUckily, you have plenty of room to
redrill.
>
> Can you send pictures which shows the 8ft bridge and the tuning pins in
the
> bass and middle, so that one can see what it happening there?
>
> One other question: what is the shape of the top of the nut, if you were
to
> cut a slice and look from the end?  It looks like it might be flat in the
> pictures.  The bit nearest the jacks should be higher, so there is contact
> only at the pin and at the nut at one place.  If the string is making
> contact over the whole of the nut, this might be a problem.  (Sorry -- ask
> if I am not clear.)
>
> By the way, getting the stagger right should not be a problem.
>
> I will write more later: I have to get ready for church.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> david
>
>
> At 22:09 01-11-03 -0500, Jon-o Addleman wrote:
> >On Sat, Nov 01, 2003 at 11:01:04AM -0500, David Pickett spake thusly:
> > > At 10:13 01-11-03 -0500, Jon-o Addleman wrote:
> > >
> > > >I've noticed a few notes on my harpsichord sound somewhat 'dead'
> > >
> > > Which specific notes?
> >
> >The top D (the highest note)  (well.. C# right now, since I'm at 440 for
> >this concerto I'm playing tomorrow...) is the worst of them, though a
> >few others in the top octave also sound a little off...
> >
> >As to Margaret's suggestion about down-bearing, I've tried adjusting
> >where the string comes off the tuning pin (by tightning or loosening the
> >coil of wire on it) but it doesn't seem to change a whole lot with the
> >sound. Side bearing definitely seems more likely.
> >
> >I've put up a few pictures of it - I hope they're clear enough to show
> >everything needed. If not, I'll make some more in the coming days.
> >
> >Unfortunately, as always, it seems, I'm going to be heading back to
> >Montreal on Tuesday, and so probably won't be able to do a whole lot
> >with this instrument right now. Any work will have to wait until
> >December, when i'm here next! Of course, I'll be busy enough with the
> >other harpsichord in the meantime. :)
> >
> >The pictures are available at
> >http://redowl.dyndns.org/~jono/photos/displayalbum.php?album=Harpsichord
> >
> >Let me know if there are any problems with that link! I think it should
> >work though. If any other angle would help, I can take some other
> >pictures tomorrow and Monday. Ask and ye shall receive.
> >--
> >Jon-o Addleman