In a message dated 6/02/2000 11:00:53 PM, Terry wrote: <<I hear of this "sound reflected back" thing and wonder if some of that may be just bunk.>> Terry; The answer to this is 'yes' and 'no' :-) Del or Ron would be able to give the 'compleat' reasons but generally the rim which 'absorbs' sound is not as powerful or projecting as one which does not 'absorb' as much sound.....By definition what is not "absorbed" is "reflected back" or 'trapped" in the board. Thus a rim made of "selected hardwoods" will not reflect back as much energy as one made of true hardwoods. As for the board touching the outer rim you will typically find this on pianos which are "compression crowned" rather than "rib crowned". There is no inherent advantage that I am aware of that can be attributed to a 'rim' trapped board over a non- 'rim' trapped board , all other things being equal. <<" Do you think that in cases where there is a gap between the soundboard edge and outer rim, the gad should be filled?">> No. (but it depends on what the gap was caused by, i.e. design, or board failure.) For instance the "gap" on this Knabe board/rim junction is aprox. 5/16ths and is very even all around the rim. In the area which is not covered by the quarter round on the bass side the board does go to the rim but still does not quite touch. This area is only about 7 inches long and runs from the end of the trim strip to the belly rail. Jim Bryant (FL)
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