One of these 4 AM brain torture processes. Soundboard ribs generally are of more-or-less uniform dimensions for most of their length (I think some have a slight consistent taper from center). Towards the ends, they are sculpted out fairly abruptly - over just a couple inches of their length. Why is this? Is it because of the loading in the center of the board (more-or-less), along the bridge will tend to bend more so it is made stiffer in the center and less at the ends - if that were the case, wouldn't a consistent taper from center area to end be more appropriate? Or does the rib thin out fast to make the entire outer edge of the soundboard more flexible - much like a speaker where the cone is stiff and then it has a cloth or rubber surround at the edge? Is there any text that delves into rib dimension theory? Terry Farrell
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