(no subject)

[gordon stelter]

Sarah,
     I don't think that an aluminum rib, constrained
as it is by the soundboard panel, would "ring" at a 
specific frequency. But aluminum case-hardens and
cracks very easily---no elasticity to speak of. 
     Thump


--- Sarah Fox <sarah@graphic-fusion.com> wrote:
> Hey Jean-Jacques,  :-)
> 
> > 1. Has anyone of you ever heard of ribs made of
> other material than wood,
> such
> > as aluminium or even plexiglas?
> 
> Yes, as others have suggested, however, aluminum
> would make a terrible
> material for a soundboard.  Bang a steel pan, and it
> rings.  Bang an
> aluminum pan, and it goes "clonk."
> 
> I have heard a steel soundboard, and it produces a
> very interesting sound.
> The bass and tenor are very rich and seductive.  The
> treble, on the other
> hand, rings like bells and has a bit of a steel drum
> sound to it.  It's a
> very peculiar sound that I wouldn't call
> "piano-like."  I haven't heard a
> glass soundboard, but I imagine it sounds similar --
> or perhaps like ringing
> glasses in the treble.  (Yes??)
> 
> I suspect the greatest promise for alternative
> materials might lie in the
> rib structure.  I would love to see someone create a
> carbon fiber rib (for
> instance) for a rib crowned/supported soundboard.
> 
> Or how about a ribless laminated soundboard with
> coil spring supports (i.e.
> made of spring steel) supporting the downbearing
> beneath the bridges?  It
> could have a milled core of varying thickness --
> thinner at the margins and
> towards the treble (?) to achieve the desired
> response, and then a finish
> laminate could be bonded over that.  The core could
> even be milled into a
> dish shape, in the same manner as a violin
> soundboard.  This could all be
> easily achieved with CNC machining.
> 
> Lots of possibilities!  :-)
> 
> Peace,
> Sarah
> 
> 
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