Steven: I'm sure what you have there are called "compression ridges". According to the Steinway Technical Reference Manuel: "Compression ridges are in no way considered by Steinway to be a concern as to the piano's performance or a defect in the craftsmanship of the instrument. In fact, the presence of such ridging is a result of a well-seasoned and properly designed and installed board as it adapts to certain environments and climate conditions. By design the Steinway soundboard is under compression and tightly fit to the rim of the piano. This system of compression is a key component in producing the richness and beauty of the Steinway tone. As a result, compression ridging can occur as the piano becomes acclimated to or changes with its environment and the soundboard absorbs moisture. This ridging does not mean that the board is cracked. The opposite is true. The board is under tension and functioning as it should. Also, if there is no separation between the board and the ribs under the board this is an indication that both board and ribs are functioning as a homogeneous unit producing the unique tone of the Steinway piano. This ridging is not something new to Steinway. It has been documented and addressed in Steinway documentation since the late 1800s." Your opinion (and mine) might vary. We have a couple of newer Steinways with these ridges. According to what they have said above, I guess I should be disappointed that our other 38 Steinways don't have them. There's nothing you can do about them. When the board dries out and cracks open where the integrity of the wood has been compromised with the ridges. the 5 year warranty will have expired. dave David M. Porritt, RPT dporritt at smu.edu<mailto:dporritt at smu.edu> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Steven Hopp Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 3:29 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Steinway Soundboard Question A new Steinway D has been gifted to our local college. It is "newish". Serial #581649. It came from a dealer who was using it as a rental but is in good shape. Needs some regulation and voicing etc. They were going to go to New York but wanted Marvin Hamlisch to inaugurate it next month and New York said it was unlikely they could get it to them by then. Anyway, the head of the music dept. in his detailed post delivery inspection noticed that the soundboard has a few spots where the joints of the panel are not flush but raised ever so slightly. Is this a problem or will it not effect the life of the instrument? Thanks Steven Hopp Midland, TX ________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.<http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100201/c0be8ce8/attachment-0001.htm>
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