I think, whether by serendipity or design, such a configuration between plate and soundboard maximizes stability, resistance to collapse, and sensitivity to energy transfer from the strings. The bearing meets the belly's opposing forces directly, consolidating and balancing resources, creating best resonance, power, and sustain. And best tuning stability.

Strike sliding directly over the hammer centers in the Grandwork™ Regulation Station makes custom boring grand hammers simple, easy, and very efficient. And custom boring unties an unfriendly knot of hard choices and unwished-for compromises that otherwise undermine energy and strength needed for the final laps of tuning and voicing.