Hi Doug, I believe that soundboards are a bit different than violins. Many sound boards are compression crowned. This apparently leads to failure of the board when the woods elastic limits are exceeded. Violins are *carved* into their shape so this is not a factor. I wonder if anyone has ever carved a piano sound board. At 07:59 AM 11/8/98 -0500, you wrote: >Date sent: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 01:57:07 +0000 >From: JOSEP PUIG <jpuig@idgrup.ibernet.com> >To: list <pianotech@ptg.org> >Subject: new/old soundboard wood >Send reply to: pianotech@ptg.org > >> The question is: why is it better to replace the whole soundboard with >> new wood rather than carefully withdraw the old one, unglue the ribs and >> bridges and next re-dry the sb. and reglue everything into place? >> >> By now, I do prefer to recrown the old sounboard (although ungluing it >> without damage is like a nightmare) but I wish to know your opinions. >> >> Thank You >> >> Josep Puig >> >> > >Josep... >years of experience, I may have something to offer. I have done >some reading on qualities of old wood, specifically in reference to >violin making. As you know, old, seasoned violins are far more >valuable than new ones, in part due to the fact that the tonal quality >is enhanced by the wood's age. I have read that this quality >difference happens on the cellular level with wood, in that the >"protoplasm" and "cytoplasm" in the cells turns more resinous with >age, and therefore conducts vibrations from nearby strings and >through the bridge more efficiently. > >Doug >Oliver's Twist Piano Service >Douglas A. Oliver, Technician Regards, Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.M.T., R.P.T. "Tuner for the Centre of the Arts" drose@dlcwest.com http://www.dlcwest.com/~drose/ 3004 Grant Rd. REGINA, SK S4S 5G7 306-352-3620 or 1-888-29t-uner
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