Piano Rims (rambling post)

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Phillip L Ford" <fordpiano@lycos.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: December 30, 2001 3:47 PM
Subject: Re: Piano Rims (rambling post)


> Why do you use softwood for the bracing?  Also, do
> you have any thoughts about why most makers seem
> to use softwood for the bracing rather than
> hardwood?
>

I don't know about Ron, but we use either spruce--there's lots of it around
here that's not suitable for soundboards--or alder. Alder is a hardwood
somewhat similar to poplar in its physical characteristics. Considerably
lighter than maple and readily available in our area. Much better looking
than poplar, too, even though it's most often painted black.

I'm not convinced the material the braces are made out of is particularly
important. We have used maple in the past but I'm not sure I can attribute
any of the improved performance to the characteristics of maple. More to the
stiffness added by the brace with the specific material being nearly
irrelevant. The idea is mostly to stiffen the rim--more particularly, the
straight side and the bellyrail--and well placed braces of most any species
will do that. Even in Steinway's case, with the rim bracing actually part of
the load bearing structure, their use of pine or spruce is appropriate.

We also use maple for all soundboard cutoff bars.

Del