<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=FR link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> -----Message d'origine----- De : pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] De la part de Richard Brekne Envoyé : mardi 21 octobre 2008 9:52 À : pianotech@ptg.org Objet : the myth of the finite life of wood grain /AA <o:p> </o:p> Hi Anne<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Would you say that in general soundboards from pre 1880 were made <o:p></o:p> without the use of compression... i.e. not drying out the boards enough <o:p></o:p> before attaching the ribs to induce more then very very moderate <o:p></o:p> compression levels ?<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> cheers<o:p></o:p> RicB<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I regularly work with pianos that are well over 100 to 200 years old<o:p></o:p> with their original soundboards, and the boards are just are still<o:p></o:p> "alive". I'm just starting a late 19th century 8'6" Viennese piano<o:p></o:p> that is in original condition and will still knock your socks off. <o:p></o:p> The only ones I find which die are very late 19th and 20th century<o:p></o:p> pianos with soundboards installed with "tight" crowns, particularly<o:p></o:p> compressed crowns.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> AA<o:p></o:p> I agree totally. From the about 10 oldys (1805 to 1870) I’ve restored al had a nice and rich sound.<o:p></o:p> The last one (a French Boisselot from 1838) had de soundboard unglued from the ribs and rim , lots of cracks and even the briges were loose.<o:p></o:p> Glued all that back together and the result is a nice tone with quite a bit of sustain except for the last octave.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Pierre Gevaert <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>