Jim   My simplistic approach to ribbing an old  panel like this might be to keep the cubic centimeters/inches of the rib the same or similar. IE. The original 25 mm wide and 23 mm tall original rib dimensions now becomes 25 mm tall and 23 wide with some modest crown cut into them. Stiffness increases with way less compression. (From Soundboards 101)     Retain a Calif. sugar pine or Northern white pine rib  as were many original rib structures so to preserve weight and stiffness characteristics. (I stock both) I think these species were used as they are stiff and stable as well as light weight. Combined with a tighter grain orientation, which the ribs of many old boards possessed. Stiffness with less mass than spruce ribbing.  Jim, I have no doubt whatsoever that you or I or many on this list could make such a reconstituted soundboard  sing like a bird and sound musically viable.   Now how did they steam this board out without damage to the rim etc. ? Steam is really hot active penetrating stuff and we are talking water soluble hide glue in the rim. <div style="clear:both">Dale Erwin... RPT Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S pianos Sitka soundbaord supply www.Erwinspiano.com 209-577-8397 <tt><tt>     </tt></tt> </div> <div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message----- From: jim <jim@grandpianosolutions.com> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Mon, May 28, 2012 7:53 am Subject: [pianotech] Fwd: re-fabricating a failed soundboard <div id="AOLMsgPart_1_554dc6d0-7813-4247-a8bf-d3335ff76289"> Hi Dale, >I'd rib crown it a bit and dry it less. I'm more curious about the tonal quality of using the old panel versus a new one... Exactly my take. >Honestly I don't think it would be difficult to sell to some clients of vintage pianos on this idea and you'd be making more than 3 dollars per hour. This is the crux. It needs to have a market...and I bet you could turn this flavor of market on. But the belly would have to sing...keep the Bulls..t down. >The problem is some one will start saying its more better or selling it as a features or something with spin on it Unavoidable. Particularly since all customers require and are actively looking for something to believe in. This aspect of rebuilding is my least favorite part of this gig. But do we need to take ownership of somone else's Bulls..t? MAke the board sing(if possible) and it could be a viable item, which requires no old growth trees be cut down. You are stuck with the original grain orientation, which for me is a bummer...but..I don't know...chew on the question Jim <pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">-- Jim Ialeggio <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jim@grandpianosolutions.com">jim@grandpianosolutions.com</a> (978) 425-9026 Shirley, MA</pre> </div>  </div>