Rochester: first thoughts

[Clark Sprague]

I was so inspired by the Rebuilders at Rochester, that I took the old 
Hardman grand, 5' something, painted white, that I had on its side in my 
shop for over 2 years, and tore it all apart.  The soundboard came out, with 
a little persuasion and white vinegar, essentially intact.
    I took the measurements of all the ribs, and the thickness of the 
soundboard.  Do the measurements need to be in MM's to do the deflection 
calculations on Ron's handout? (I loaned it to someone, it's not right in 
front of me).
    Interesting, that the thickness is much thinner at the bass end than at 
the treble (at the edges, anyway).  Like .235 at the bass end, to .335 at 
the treble.  13 ribs, most essentially square, with a little difference 
around ribs 3-8, all a little taller than wide.
Ribs looked to be flat, so it's a compression crowned board, right?
    Clark A. Sprague