Laminated Soundboard Panels

[Richard Brekne]

Overs Pianos wrote:

> At 2:02 PM +0000 4/2/04, Michael Gamble wrote:
>
>>
>> Hello List and Terry F
>
>> Regarding these laminated panels - in fact laminated soundboards of 
>> any instrument - there is no doubt that they are not as good as the 
>> usual solid panel.
>
>
> That's a bit of a sweeping statement Michael, and one with which I 
> would definitely disagree.
>

I have to agree with Ron O on this one... if for no other reason then 
that there simply isnt enough high quality work done with laminated 
soundboards by which to draw any real conclusions. 

Heck... even the infamous Rippen piano sounded as good or better then 
many instruments in its class... and the Rippen was anything but a class 
act. Still...the quality of its sound was not its worst attribute... by 
far.. Not that I am a fan of Rippen mind you. :)

> .......................


RicB

>>   The piano market is awfully conservative about changing materials.
>
>
> True, but that should not be a sufficient reason alone not to use an 
> alternative method if it proves to be superior. If the argument you 
> put against laminated panels was to be adopted by Kawai, they would 
> never have introduced their ABS actions. I believe that the use ABS 
> for action parts is an excellent idea, which is superior to using 
> wood, and that eventually this will be fully accepted by the market. 
> Let's not condemn a technology out of hand without giving it proper 
> scrutiny. If the market is biased against a good idea, I believe we 
> have a responsibility as professionals in our industry to educate the 
> sometimes idiotic-market we serve.
>
> Ron O.
>
>-- 
>  
>
> *OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY*
> /   //Grand Piano Manufacturers/
> _______________________
>
> Web http://overspianos.com.au
> mailto:info@overspianos.com.au
> _______________________