Steinway "O"

[Vince Mrykalo]

> Date:          Fri, 12 May 1995 11:34:48 -0600 (MDT)
> From:          darst@humanitas.ucsb.edu (William E. Darst)
> Subject:       Re: Steinway "O"
> To:            Multiple recipients of list <pianotech@byu.edu>
> Reply-to:      pianotech@byu.edu

> >A soundboard of this age definitely should be replaced.  I have seen boards
> >that looked perfectly fine, no cracks or loose ribs, and once they are out of
> >the case they have no or even counter crown.  My policy is to replace the
> >soundboards on pianos older than 40 years.
> >
> >John Hartman
>
> John,

> I recently restrung a 1930s S&S "A".  When unstrung it had very minimal
> crown using a string test.  I decided *not* to go for board replacement,
> however.  The piano has wonderful carrying power, balance of sound and
> beautiful tone as it is now and I am glad that I didn't tinker with the SB.
> Was I just lucky?  Will it die in a couple of years?
>
> I would like very much to hear views from a range of piano technicians who
> do a lot of piano rebuilding, on their criterion for soundboard replacement
> and experience with the outcomes.

There is another, possibly more important, measurement to take for
crown, and that is alongside of the long bridge.  Has the crown been
lost along the grain of the soundboard?

---
Vince Mrykalo