Seiler Pianos

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Jones" <kjones@well.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: November 14, 2001 10:17 PM
Subject: Seiler Pianos


> I was wondering if anyone would like to comment on the new Seiler pianos.
I
> looked at one of the 180cm grands today at a dealers for a customer. I
> thought it sounded pretty nice and had quite good sustain, and my customer
> liked the way it looks, which is probably the most important thing to her.
> I must admit that I'm a little bit put off by their use of terms like
> "mem-brator" and "tonal stabilizer" in their advertising. Is the
> "mem-brator" soundboard really an innovation, or is it just an advertising
> term? Are other designers using anything similar in their soundboard
> designs?

The 'mem-brator' soundboard refers to what is basically a router cut around
the parameter of the soundboard--on the top side--just in from the inner
rim. The idea is to make the parameter of the soundboard somewhat more
flexible, allowing it to vibrate more as a diaphragm. Most any benifit that
might be gained from the proceedure is largely negated by the rib crossing
under the soundboard across the cut although it probably does help some in
the bass section where there are no ribs to interfere. In theory it does
roughly the same thing that 'diaphragming' (aka the 'Diaphragmatic
Soundboard') does.

I saw a similar cut in the soundboard of the piano Ron Overs exhibited at
Reno. In this case, since that piano had a laminated soundboard, the effect
would be somewhat greater.


>
> I must admit that I don't even know what a "tonal volume
> stabilizer" is.

Nor do I.


>
> My overall impression of the instrument was quite positive,
> I was surprised at how long the sustain was, even though there didn't seem
> to be much soundboard crown. Anyone have any opinions on these
instruments?

I've no personal service experience with them, but those I've examined--all
fairly recently built--have been exceptionally well made instruments.

Del