soundboards

[D.L. Bullock]

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Ron Shiflet on soundboards:
If the wood sounded that much better over time, and a soundboard was still
intact, wouldn't people be begging for the old klunker pianos and rebuilding
them as opposed to replacing the soundboards?

I would say definitely, yes.  I am and they should be

 My point is to determine if these soundboards really need to be replaced?

 No they don't.  It is a large job to remove the soundboard and replace ribs
in the most extreme cases.  But in many cases you can simply recrown the old
board without pulling it out or replacing the ribs.    I vowed that the next
time I do a piano that has been in water for a day or more and has a reverse
crown,  I will definitely pull out the board and then decide whether to
replace it or just make new ribs.  The only disappointing soundboard I have
done was caught in Hurricane Andrew tidal swells and sat in 4 feet of water
for a day.  I should have pulled it or replaced it.  The customer was
ecstatic at the results.  I was underwhelmed, but it was still acceptable.

I have replaced soundboards and they sounded great but the old ones just
have a warmth that few new ones ever have.  It is sort of like playing your
CDs on a tube Macintosh stereo or a transistorized Yamaha stereo.  Different
character.

I agree with Terry.  What purpose is the piano to serve?
D.L. Bullock    St. Louis
www.thepianoworld.com

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