[pianotech] Bluthner soundboard problem?

David Ilvedson ilvey at sbcglobal.net
Thu Jan 7 15:55:44 MST 2010


David,

You've given the soundboard some good smack with your fist to listen to the sound?  That good soundboard boom...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Boyce" <David at piano.plus.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/7/2010 2:36:53 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Bluthner soundboard problem?


>Hi Brian,

>Good points, thanks.  I did check the bridges (not capped) as well as 
>the bridge pins - they seem solid to the soundboard.  I didn't make that 
>thorough an inspection of the ribs, so I may do that, to see if there is 
>any looseness either side of the hairline cracks.  I checked for loose 
>objects on the soundboard, but didn't find anything.

>Thanks for those suggestions!  The effect is subtle, but definitely 
>there, and now that my customer has heard it, he can't ignore it!

>Best regards,

>David Boyce.

>> Hi David,
>>  
>> A few things come to mind when I read your descriptions.
>>  
>> I don't know if it's impossible to hear what you describe strictly 
>> from a crack or cracks in the soundboard panel but I haven't heard 
>> things like that myself.
>>  
>> What I have heard are various noises / buzzes / rattles when the 
>> soundboard came loose from one or more ribs, many times on either or 
>> both sides of that soundboard crack or cracks.  Also, soundboards can 
>> and do come loose from around the rim and can make some interesting 
>> noises when they do.  I've also seen bridges come loose, bridge caps 
>> come loose, trapwork parts and even a few case parts make some pretty 
>> "feathery" noises that really gave a challenge finding.  Now wouldn't 
>> you just HATE it if you found out someone dropped a paper clip onto 
>> the soundboard through one of those little holes?  LOL!!
>>  
>> I'm sure others with more current experience may have more to add.
>>  
>> Best of luck.
>>  
>> Brian


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