To Whom It May Concern: Violins are not pianos and pianos are not violins. The string tensions in violins are different from the string tensions in violins. Piano soundboards are thicker than violin soundboards. Piano soundboards have shapes that are different than violin soundboards. Piano soundboard loading is different -- heavier, much heavier -- than violin soundboard loading. A violin placed under the stress of just four average piano strings would rapidly be crushed to oblivion. OK. Both the piano soundboard and the violin soundboard are driven by strings through a bridge. But the violin soundboard has a post under its bridge to keep it from vibrating. Piano soundboards use ribs to disperse the vibrating energy to the far reaches of the soundboard. Violin soundboards do not use ribs. Piano soundboard mounting systems are mechanically clamped systems. Violin mounting systems are semi-hinged mounting systems. Why do we insist on comparing violins with piano soundboards? I can't really think of any ways in which they are similar except that they both vibrate. But then the hood of my car vibrates -- is it now a piano? Train rails vibrate. Clarinet reeds vibrate. Drum heads vibrate. But we don't get off on comparing piano soundboards with train rails, do we? Why violins? Why not cello's? Why not basses? Violins and pianos are not the same. They operate using different principles, different support mechanisms, different driving mechanisms -- they are different instruments. Period. Dot. They are not the same. They are not similar. They are not remotely alike. So. Please...let us please stop trying to make these direct comparisons between the piano soundboard and the violin. They are not at all the same thing. And the comparisons don't work. Regards, Del (Not a violin designer.)
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