The finite life of wood grain

[Ron Nossaman]

> Hi Ron.
> 
> Did you ever say to a customer coming to you for a new board in his piano
> "Please, think twice about it; I find that your piano sounds very well as
> is." ?
> ...
> I knew it.

I've never had a customer come to me for a new board until 
everything has been tried, by every tech they know, to improve 
what THEY think is an unacceptable sound. Customers know even 
less about soundboards than most techs, and have almost no 
conception of what they do and don't do - other than cracking. 
A goodly number of them think the plate is the soundboard. I 
have, many many times, recommended against spending any time 
and money at all on pianos that weren't economically worth it, 
but you knew that too, I'm sure.



> Many things influence our perception of sound (including our level of
> qualification).
> 
> Stéphane Collin

And above all, the overall cost?
Ron N


> 
>> All other things being equal, a new board raises more bucks than an old
> one.
>> Stéphane Collin.
> 
> There's that phrase again, with nothing even vaguely 
> resembling qualification! What are these fabled "all other" 
> things that are somehow being equal in comparing old 
> soundboards to new? Maybe it's time to finally trot 'em out 
> and educate us all.
> 
> ?
> Ron N
> 
> 
> 
> 
>