The Soundboard bit.. was Steinways / David Andersen

[Farrell]

I'm not Ron N or O or Del, but I do build soundboards to Del's 
specifications. Del does recommend drying the panel down to about 6% or 6.5% 
MC prior to ribbing (with curved ribs in curved cauls). My understanding is 
that his minimal recommended drying is not to put compression in the panel 
to support crown but rather to minimize the chances of a solid panel 
cracking when exposed to a dry environment.

I believe Ron N follows similar guidelines.

Ron O is using laminated panels, and my understanding is because the panels 
have negligible dimensional change with varying moisture contents, he does 
not dry the panel down prior to ribbing.

Ron N and O and Del and I build RC&S soundboards (rib crowned and 
supported).

Hope that helps.

Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano

www.farrellpiano.com

----- Original Message ----- 
> I do hope that someone (Ron N or O, or Del) clarifies their position
> on RC v. RC & S. My understanding was that RC & S did not require the
> soundboard panel (and ribs) being dried prior to glue-up to the extent
> that the classical RC method calls for.
> Patrick Draine