The sound first and foremost will tell you if the board is not delivering that includes: heavy distortions, clangs, thwacks, percussive attacks followed by short and precipitously falling sustain phase. Structural failures like loose rib to panel glue joints, loose panel to rim glue joints, crown failure, rim delaminations trump even passable sound. Multiple cracks even if the board sounds decent (though they often don't) will push me to replace rather than repair since it's usually a sign of excess compression problems and exposure to large humidity swings which suggest that the panel is structurally compromised. After a certain age the board, except in unusual situations, should probably be replaced depending on where it spent it's life and how it fared (once in awhile an old soundboard will manage to fare quite well). Sometimes an old board can sound ok before you take it apart but when you put it back together something happens where the board doesn't quite go back to where it was, accurate bearing settings notwithstanding, and it sounds like crap--not sure why that happens. Then there's the ever important consideration of cost. Is the piano worth it? If not, or if sentimental value doesn't override cost considerations then you look for alternatives like epoxy treatment, new piano, new old piano, take up the violin. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com On Apr 6, 2009, at 4:15 PM, Alexander Lass wrote: Would any experienced rebuilders care to comment on what their various criteria are on deciding whether to do a full soundboard replacement? I'm curious in particular which factors are deal breakers. There seems to be a lot of discussion as of late. Thanks in advance, Alex
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