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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
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<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Claude,</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Your
clinical analysts of the soundboard suggest you may be relying too much on
correcting downbearing to exact your expectations. Certainly downbearing is an
important ingredient, but ignoring other soundboard principles may point to a
limited and possibly disappointing outcome. Your letter makes little mention of
the overall tonal characteristics of the soundboard. Experienced technicians
will listen to the overall quality of tone to indicate if there is a potential
problem with crown and other factors.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">One
of the principle ingredients of the piano sound is created by the tension
between the ribs and the soundboard panels – which manifests itself through
crown. Your description suggests this may be lacking. If so, all the kings
horses and all the kings men will not restore this piano to the potential,
commensurate to the money your customer will be paying for
restoration.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Use
extreme caution, lest you damage your reputation.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Roger
Gable</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16pt"><FONT face=Calibri><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">P.S.
Your suggestion to add material to the bridge to correct downbearing will likely
gain you nothing but increased downbearing without any (or possibly negative)
tonal benefits.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:06 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [pianotech] Soundboard problem?</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> I have a 1925 Lyon & Healy (5 ft.) grand in
the shop. I have done a preliminary estimate on restringing, new hammers,
action reconditioning, etc., but I do not yet have a signed contract with the
specifics spelled out.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> I have been doing some closer inspection of the
piano, have concerns about the <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">soundboard, and could use some counsel.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> The strings are still on, and composite
downbearing readings (Fowler guage) from the top note run
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">.004" - .010" in Treble 2;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">.006" - .009" in Treble 1; <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">.010" - .009" in Tenor.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> These seem minimal, especially in the top treble,
and I will check again after taking off the strings to see how much the board
might come up, but maybe I can work with these, especially since I may have to
recap the top end of the treble bridge anyway.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> The bass is the main
problem.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Top note (28) reads .010". (That's
okay.)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Middle of bridge is .006", and it ranges .004" - .007"
through note 4.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">THEN, #3 is .000", #2 is -.001", and #1 is
-.003".<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Inspecting board underneath shows all glue joints solid
and at least minimal crown except for the low end of the bass
bridge. A straight edge will rock at that point directly beside the
lowest soundboard button for the bass bridge apron, although there is clearance
and "crown" on either side of that spot.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Tone in bass is not strong; bass bridge is
offset construction; clearance between plate and soundboard at plate screw/post
locations is minimal (1/8").<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Perhaps I could re-cap the bass bridge to correct
downbearing. Could I save this board, and should I even try. My
preliminary estimate did not mention replacing the soundboard and was based on a
home inspection in a crowded room where getting under the piano was difficult
(That's my best excuse. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Wingdings><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: wingdings">J</SPAN></FONT>)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Counsel welcomed. Criticism
accepted.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Thanks.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Claude Harding<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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