Flat Belly Rail

[Farrell]

Yes, but if you ever take a soundboard out of a piano and observe how floppy 
it is - especially an unribbed panel - you will quickly conclude that 
whether you have an rim edge curved/arched/beveled does not likely make much 
difference at all.

I'll put an arch or a bevel on a rim piece that I am working on if the shape 
slaps me in the face and if it isn't much bother - but I don't think it 
really makes much difference.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
> Ric writes:
>
> <<  What
> advantage would there be (if any) to the flat belly rail in this
> instance, and is this something I should consider altering at all ? >>
>
>    Isn't the ledge on the inside of the case, where the rest of the
> soundboard is attached, also flat?
> Perhaps Bluthner expected the crown to be equally supported all the way
> around.  I can sorta see the logic in this, since a bellyrail that curved 
> upwards
> would stress the soundboard in a rather unequal way.
> Regards,
> Ed Foote RPT