Re-crowning soundboards

[Ron Nossaman]

>Dear List:
>
>Is there a way to restore crown to an old soundboard by applying heat and
>moisture in some way?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Kevin Aldrich
>Aldrich Pianos
>Troy, NY
>

Kevin,

There is no way to restore crown to an old soundboard. The crown was
probably originally established by drying the panel down and gluing on the
ribs. Swelling of the panel with re-hydration forces the ribs to bend and
forms the crown. If there was any life left in the panel, there would still
be crown. The board is flat from cumulative compression damage to the
cellular structure of the panel as a result of the original assembly method,
string bearing load, seasonal humidity fluctuations, and time. Fibers are
crushed, compression set has compacted the panel enough that it can no
longer bend the ribs to the required shape to maintain the crown. There is
no way to resurrect the panel. The board is dead. It needs replaced, or
abandoned. If the piano is worth the price, and the customer can afford it,
rebuild it. If either of the above conditions is not true, don't waste time
and money on Voodoo fixes.

 Ron