the myth of the finite life of wood grain /AA

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Anne

Would you say that in general soundboards from pre 1880 were made 
without the use of compression... i.e. not drying out the boards enough 
before attaching the ribs to induce more then very very moderate 
compression levels ?

cheers
RicB

    I regularly work with pianos that are well over 100 to 200 years old
    with their original soundboards, and the boards are just are still
    "alive".   I'm just starting a late 19th century 8'6" Viennese piano
    that is in original condition and will still knock your socks off. 
    The only ones I find which die are very late 19th and 20th century
    pianos with soundboards installed with "tight" crowns, particularly
    compressed crowns.


    AA