Soundboard stress cracks

[stanwood]

This quote is from the 1888 Steinway & Sons catalog:

"Dampness will also swell and raise the soft fibres of the sounding-board,
thereby forming ridges, which by the inexperienced observer are mistaken for
cracks, while in reality affording the best proof of excellent, well
seasoned material.   All this occurs chiefly in the summer season, and the
best Pianos, made of the most thoroughly seasoned material, are necessarily
the most affected by dampness, the absorption being more rapid."

Michael Mohr pointed it out to me.

David Stanwood

>I have a highly skilled pianist client who recently purchased a S&S "B" c. 1920
>from a well known Steinway dealer in the NE. This piano was completely rebuilt
>with new board, block, and action. Purchased 6 months ago, I saw this piano for
>the first time yesterday,  to give a critical evaluation because of some
>"inconsistencies" in the playablility of this piano.
>
>To my surprise, there appears a significant stress fissure through the
finish in
>the center of the board extending the length of the board, right through the
>middle of the decal. It is not into the wood, but it is raised and separated
>along the finish edges. In that regard, it seems a fairly thick coat of
varnish,
>if that is what it is. There are also 2 other "auxilliary" cracks (fissures?)
>parallel and on either side of this main one. None of these have caused a rib
>separation, yet. Yes, it's humid here in NJ this summer and the board has that
>wavy stressed look to it.
>
>This piano was purchased for $36G which included her trading in the "M" she had
>worn out. My last experience tracking some serious looking fissures on a new
>grand with a solid board lasted 2 years until it finally went through the wood
>last winter, and now I can see the floor. (The manufacturer was just notified
>about that one).
>
>Here are my questions: What is the correct euphemism: fissures? cracks? crazes?
>worry lines? and when does one become another?
>What experiences have you had with new boards cracks?
>Have you followed any from birth to...well,  you know....
>What would you consider the odds for this 5 year warranteed soundboard
lasting 5
>years? 10 years?
>Do cracks effect tuning stability? tonal reproduction? donwbearing? value?
>
>Mike Bingham,
>Toms River, NJ
>
>