alternatives for soundboards

[Antares]

Sounds all very reasonable...
but I still have not heard yet a better instrument than the so called
Magnificent Steinway (or other beautiful make).
But again, nevertheless, If I ever hear a substitute just as impressive I
will bow deeply.
Untill then.

Friendly greetings from,
Antares





>Andy wrote:
>> ...It is just the fact that IMHO, piano design
>> as been about the same for 80 years and the builders has become rather
>> stagnant.
>> 
>I would say longer than this and *completely* rather than "rather" stagnant.
>
>There is absolutely no reason to continue to use spruce for soundboards,
>or wood at all. The soundboard is only a simple membrane whose
>acoustic-mechanical parameters determine its behaviour. Suitable
>parameters could be duplicated in many different materials. The problem
>with new materials is the expense and effort entailed in R&D to make them
>work. What happens is a manufacturer either: (a) invests next to nothing,
>rushes in half-cocked, and shoots themselves in the foot by producing
>something woefully inadequate (cf teflon bush.) OR (b) invests nothing and
>sticks to "tried-and-true"  spruce panels, with an absurd definition of
>"quality" wood that is "necessary" for a high-quality soundboard. Next to
>nothing is certainly worse than nothing here, but even (b) is stupid and
>pure sales-gibberish with no technical basis - almost any wood can be made
>into a high-quality soundboard, certainly even the shittiest spruce. For
>most of the century the industry rode on a wave crest and could afford to
>do nothing. This ingrained attitude is the source of the stagnation you
>mentioned and will probably eventually cause the demise of the industry
>unless someone comes to their senses soon. 
>
>Stephen
>
>Stephen Birkett Fortepianos
>Authentic Reproductions of 18th and 19th Century Pianos
>464 Winchester Drive
>Waterloo, Ontario
>Canada N2T 1K5
>tel: 519-885-2228
>email: birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca
>
>