Thoughts on soundboards...you out there Ron?

[btrout@desupernet.net]

Hi,

I had the opportunity to dismantle an old 1915 Baldwin "E" (5'8") over
the last couple of days that I'll be rebuilding. Looks like it'll be a
Nice piano!

I've been reading a little on soundboards, and from what I've read so
far, most soundboards are too rigid in the bass, and not rigid enough in
the treble.  (Over generalized, I know, but it's a start?)  On this
Baldwin, I noticed that the lower half (aprox.) of the long bridge was
notched out on the bottom so that it only touched the soundboard by way
of about 4 inch and a half squares of what would be the bridge body
spaced evenly along the bottom of the long bridge.  I was thinking that
maybe that was to encourage the soundboard in that end of the piano to
vibrate more freely.?

I haven't taken notice of the bottom side of the soundboard yet, but I
wondered if my thinking is on the wrong track to think that perhaps (in
general), if the soundboard is not rigid enough in the upper end, that
either an extra rib or two, or adding to the thickness of the ribs might
accomplish this stiffening effect?

I know I'm rambling a bit, but if anyone has a thought they'd like to
pass along, I'm interested.  (Ron, I know you're light years ahead of me
on this, so that's why I thought of you in particular.)

Hope you all have a great day!

Brian Trout
Quarryville, Pa.