[pianotech] Steinway Soundboard Question

[Terry Farrell]

Wow, that's a mouthful of a quote Steven! The only thing I'll agree  
with is that "This ridging is not new to Steinway". Amazing that "By  
design the Steinway soundboard is under compression..." and at the  
same time "The board is under tension.....". Wow, that would indeed  
produce a unique sound.

Oh sorry, another thing I agree with in the statement: "This ridging  
does not mean that the board is cracked." Indeed, it means that the  
board is crushed!

Terry Farrell

On Feb 1, 2010, at 5:10 PM, Porritt, David wrote:

> 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
>
> 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
>
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