The string sits in a notch on the chien bridge, the notch is slightly angled to hold the string down in the notch so when you lift the string the bridge comes with it. The string doesn't slide in the bridge, it just lifts it and slaps it back down.
If you have ever seen a blacksmith's trip hammer, you will know the principle immediately. In the trip hammer an eccentric crank picks up the hammer (it is pivoted on the handle end) and when it gets to the top of the travel it is released to strike the anvil. On a HG, the wheel lifts the string which lifts the end of the bridge, and then the string tension forces the foot of the bridge back to the soundboard. It is a very simple mechanism, but trying to get it 'balanced' up just right is hard, and adjusting it for playing is harder. Chris *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 1/6/2008 at 11:06 AM Minstrel Geoffrey wrote: >Kevin, > >So if the dog moves up and down the string, won't that eventually >break the string, in the contact area where it rubs? > >Sent from my iPhone > >On Jan 5, 2008, at 2:45 PM, "kevin hughes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> http://www.hotpipes.com/hgtromp.html >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Minstrel Geoffrey >> To: [email protected] >> Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 2:04 PM >> Subject: [HG] "a Newbie question" >> >> >> When the trompet or dog or chen as I've seen all three used to >> describe the >> built in rhythm buzzing sound, how exactly does that thing work? On >> a harp I >> know how it works, as its an attachment that you have to put on, for >> that >> constant effect, but I only see a key on what appears to be the tail >> peice, >> is it a wooden dampner that's applied to the strings, or does it >> have to do >> with the wheel? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Jan 5, 2008, at 5:13 AM, "sylvain gagnon mini moteur 2000 inc" >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>
