<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3059" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 topMargin=7 rightMargin=7><FONT id=role_document face=Arial color=#000000 size=2> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 5/7/07 12:18:53 P.M. Central Daylight Time, jorge1ml@cmich.edu writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Verdana color=#000000 size=2>What is the life of a soundboard?    <BR>      I recall some techs believe soundboards lose most of their crown and resiliency after about 40 years due to string pressure.  (Even without humidity damage).   If true,  a twenty year old piano should have deducted 1/2 the cost of replacing the soundboard plus all action and cosmetic work needed to restore to new condition.  If plates, finishes, cases, legs and other componets have a lifespan, that should be deducted also.  My guess is it would end up in that 60=70% range.<BR>-Mike <BR></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>Mike</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There is a reason why a used instrument is not worth as much as a new one. And part of that reason is the wear and of all the components. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as what some tech say about the soundboard, I'll leave that up to those who know a lot more about it than I do. Personally, I've heard some 50 - 75 year old pianos (rebuilt, but with the original board), that sounded as good as a new one. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Wim </DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">See what's free at <A title="http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503" href="http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503" target="_blank">AOL.com</A>. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>