[pianotech] Steinway Model "O"

[Ron Nossaman]

On 6/11/2012 11:41 AM, Joseph Garrett wrote:

> This leads me to a question: Because the soundboard is "shot", I suspect
> that the tuning stability is due to the fact that the soundboard is not as
> reactive to climatic changes, as would a new "lively" board. Any one care
> to comment?<G>

Hi Joe, Ron O,
That's the usual explanation, but I'm not so sure it's the dead board 
that's providing the tuning stability "benefit". I hear from techs 
caring for my redesigns, that they are considerably more stable than 
anything else in the climatic vicinity. I'd expect that goes for Ron's 
designs too, and that certainly isn't a dead board talking. I think it's 
the laminated bridge caps not reacting to humidity like a solid cap 
does. In the case of your O, Joe, I expect the bridge surface has been 
crushed to the point that it barely reacts to moisture.
Ron N