Terry, Are you sure the soundboard is made of spruce? Quite a number of other woods have been used over the years, including various cedars and (I think) redwood (although probably not in France). Del ----- Original Message ----- From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: September 12, 2000 5:45 AM Subject: Soundboard Color > Most soundboards I cut into are very light colored. The soundboard in the > 1890 Estey grand (subject of my last post) is very dark (surface and > throughout), kinda like a golden brown, much like maybe cherry heartwood. I > took a class from someone (???who was it???) in KC about evaluating old > soundboards. One thing he said was that if the soundboard is dark, it is > shot. Does anyone know anything about such criteria? Anyone with experience > one way or another? Please educate me. The wood otherwise seems lovely. I > just figured it was beautiful spruce heartwood from huge spruce trees that > are no longer available. > > Terry Farrell > Piano Tuning & Service > Tampa, Florida > mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com >
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