Do you dry the ribs, along with the board, prior to gluing ?

[Greg Newell]

Ric,
	There is a marked difference between "much like a new", "just as
well", and " better" as Thump put it. I, for one, cannot fathom how it could
ever be considered to be "better".

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Richard Brekne
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 1:43 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Do you dry the ribs, along with the board, prior to gluing ?

Hi Greg

This is another one of those subjects that actually is quite fascinating 
if we allow it to be so.  I am reminded of a three way discussion a few 
years back between Andre, Del and myself in which Del stated outright 
that an old panel carefully removed and de-ribbed  would sound and 
perform much like a new panel if put together in an RC & S fashion.  
This position was adjusted slightly to "it would sound and perform just 
as well" or something to the affect I believe. Whatever compression 
damage the wood has, evidently does not prevent it from being used 
successfully as an RC & S panel. 

Andre reacted a bit mentioning that his ears told him a brand new panel 
would have a different kind of life...which Del agreed and I had to 
wonder about a couple what seem like self contradictory statements built 
into the argumentation. 

All that aside... I think we all agreed in the end that the "old wood" 
RC  & S constructed panel would sound and perform nicely for many many 
years. And it would have a character distinctive because the wood was 
old... and exposed to years of compression set / damage if you will.  
And if we accept that for what it is... then we are in a world of  
"differences" and not one of "better or worse".  The old panel can sound 
and perform just as well... but with a voice of its own.

To what degree it can be used as a compression reliant board is... well 
somewhat related I guess.... but another question.

Cheers
RicB


    Thump and others,
        Since we're all asking for proofs and hard facts here in the finer
    points and minutia of soundboard technology would you please expound
    on why
    you feel that the old wood of the existing soundboard is more
    resonant than
    the new? It seems that if you're going to persist in this line of
    thinking
    then you must have good reasons for it, or is it just speculation? I
    myself
    am in the opposite camp wherein I believe that there is cellular
    destruction
    of the old wood and therefore due for replacement. My reasons follow
    that of
    which we've heard for years now on this list. This of course is
    assuming a
    CC board assembly. Your thoughts?  

    Greg Newell
    Greg's Piano Forté
    www.gregspianoforte.com
    216-226-3791 (office)
    216-470-8634 (mobile)