RIPPEN soundboards

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kristinn Leifsson" <istuner@islandia.is>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: November 05, 2000 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: RIPPEN soundboards


> I believe that the Fandrich  piano (made by the "Fabulous Fandrich
> brothers") has the same sound board principle (correct me if I´m wrong,
Del).

Actually, Darrell, my brother, had to do with developing the action,
patenting it, etc., but was not involved with building the piano.

Yes, we used a soundboard that was free-floating along the bass edge.  It
was made of solid Sitka spruce, however.  It also had positive crown and we
spent a good deal of effort on the way we terminated the lower edge of the
soundboard.

We use the term 'free-floating' but that is not exactly accurate.  The
floating edge is still terminated, it is just not fastened directly to the
rim or back assembly.  It is still necessary to work out the stiffness and
mass parameters through the region to bring the soundboard's mechanical
impedance within an appropriate range to get the type of sound you are
after.
>
>
>
> As for one point and two points, I don´t get your point...

( -- Those points being -- )

> >In my opinion the sound of the bass is indeed a deep, GRR tone, but it's
not
> >clear. The vibration is not marked with an end. A clear note has a
vibration
> >between 2 solid points, the Rippen note has a vibration between 1 solid
and
> >1 moving point. It sounds a bit misty. CAPICE?
> >
> >Rudyard, Rotterdam, Holland

There are a variety of reasons why the Rippen had the bass sound that it
had.  The stringing scales were not exactly inspired, the length of the
backscale could have been longer, the design of the soundboard -- including
the ribbing, the negative crown and the way the lower side of the board was
terminated -- all could have been improved.

There is no reason why the free-floating soundboard concept by itself should
cause an indistinct, or un-clear, sound.  Quite the opposite.  It was one of
the reasons we were able to get such a clear and distinct low bass on our
upright using a relatively short speaking length.

Regards,

Del