Soundboard mass decisions

[Ron Nossaman]

> How does one try out what kind of weight to install and their locations without damaging the piano?
> 
> I tried the vise-grips on a Mason & Hamlin A that I'm trying to finish (new board and everything) and I get more sustain but I don't want to drill holes and install weights and then have to move them around. Is there some kind of basic procedure I should try first BEFORE I decide where to drill and install wht weights?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Marcel Carey, RPT

I attach bridges to soundboards with glue and screws with 
soundboard buttons between the ribs. One of the later benefits 
of the method is that it provides handy attach points for mass 
loading. If you doweled the bridge through the ribs, you can 
still drill screw holes between ribs (if you can reach it) to 
play with weights. What doesn't end up with a weight can still 
get a screw and button to cover the hole without "damaging" 
the piano.
Ron N