The Soundboard bit.. RC&S

[Ron Nossaman]

> If I understand the RC&S method correctly, the panel is not used to support
> the crown, which is suppoted entirely by the curved ribs. So, the panel is
> just curved over the ribs, I don't see how it can provide an opposing force
> to the string downbearing. If the panel does provide any force, then it
> would be one (however small) that tends to flatten it out again, because it
> was initially bent into a curve by the ribs.

Hi Calin,
There is a small amount of panel compression built into these 
boards, to keep them from cracking in the dry season, but it's 
not important to crown support. It takes almost no force to 
curve the solid panel over the ribs, so that can be ignored 
altogether.


> If anything provides downbearing resistance in a RC&S soundboard, it must be
> the ribs only, and the panel is just left to move the air. Or am I missing
> anything?
> 
> Calin Tantareanu

That's it. You've got it.
Ron N