Violins as pianos & pianos as violins

[Farrell]

Hi Del. I started this mess. I spoke of violins and pianos in the same
breath - but only to say that they were different. And the reason I even
talked of the two was because I have had many piano owners and prospective
owners say or ask - "Pianos are like violins - Yes? - Don't they get better
with age?" This often comes up after I recommend to someone that we replace
their piano's soundboard. Or sometimes someone has an original condition 90
year old worn-out Steinway and they figure it is worth more than a new one
because "they get better with age."

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: "Delwin D Fandrich" <pianobuilders@olynet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 10:36 AM
Subject: Violins as pianos & pianos as violins


>
> 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.)
>
>