<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2523" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial" bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 topMargin=7 rightMargin=7><FONT id=rol= e_document face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: trans= parent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3><STRONG>  Hi Stephane</STRONG></FONT><= /DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3><STRONG>  I enjoy this post & your thoughtfulne= ss to the subject. Just  a couple Of comments interspersed below</STRONG></FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG></FONT><FONT size=3><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><= FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size= =2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stephane writes</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A<FONT size=3> soundboard is a filter (= even a resonant one).  No way all the energy of the string will ever end up = in acoustic energy, nor will the ineluctable losses ever be even through the scale.  And that is great.  A soundboard has a personality that comes from what one would describe as defects in regard of the basis parameters.  I would describe the personality of a board as the uniqu= e blend it features between many more parameters, such as subtle and aesthetically more or less interesting discrepancies curves in volume, sus= tain and evenness across the scale of each of the partials of each note, their thump, and the resonance's in release phase.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3><STRONG><U>Unfortunately (ah, maybe= not), this is much less easy to have under control, and leads us to humility in front of the miracle of nature, as there exist some blends that make you believe in god, while others, uh, not really</U></STRONG>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><FONT size=3><STRONG>...>>>>> I agree in a way, that e= ven with some tonal defects many older boards have a charming musical quality ab= out them, But When the defects become to great however, which, is usually i= n the 5th & 6th and then into the 4th octaves the quality of musical expression diminishes & that's when my ears get disinterested. Disintere= st because of loss of sustain in the melody range which is replaced with t= he insidious thwacking percussive sound I can't voice out nor tolerate in music.</STRONG></FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><= FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size= =2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=3>This being said, my opinio= n about old soundboards is that they have gathered with time (cell crush, down in resine percentage, loss of elasticity, whatever) a stronger and more uniqu= e personality, as defined here.</FONT> </FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE= > <DIV> <FONT size=3><STRONG> > I Assume you mean more personality t= han a new board.</STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3><STRONG>   I think humbly, this conclusion is <U>really subjective</U>. If you mean a stronger or more unique personality = to that of a new rib crowned or redesigned board system  then I would ask = if you've had opportunity to hear one of the boards( & personalities thereof) that many of us are producing in private shops here in the U.S= . </STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>  From the point of view of a winemaker he = has had opportunity to taste good old wines & newer wines compare the  = two or many. He has a different experience & exposure to many more expereinc= es than the casual wine drinker who, may think that two buck chuck ( cheap wine= here) is a fine delicacsy.</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>   All this to say Many wonderful soun= dboard tones & personality comes in many forms & flavors & many of= those are new one off boards produced in small shops.</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>  Ask Dave Andersen about new versus old. H= e didn't know if new could match or equal a really fine old board that had retained many of it's magic properties. And now....................</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000= 000 size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=3> The whole life of = a soundboard contributes to it's unique sound.  This doesn't mean that all personali= ties please me.  But the personalities who do are not at all the m= ost powerful and long lasting and most even across scale of every parameter ones</FONT>.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000= 000 size=2><FONT size=3><STRONG> The fact is that crown ,bearing & = tone have a life span. My expereince here in the U.S. is that many techs, dealers= & general public simply want to give some unrealistic mystique &amp= ; expectaion to a board that has out lived it's life, performed well, but thru time lost it's vitality. The result of this  & I see it<U><EM> ALL the time</EM></U> is that pianos that are "rebuilt" or rebuilt and sold under some B.S. notion that it has the origina= l board & that old  is superior is disengenuos & ignorant at= best & false advertising or fraud at worst.</STRONG></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000= 000 size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3> Many Folks are getting ripped off. It'= s very easy as a tech to fall into the trap of giving an estimate of repair with th= e <EM><U>over optimistic idea</U></EM>  that the old ,flat,cracked to smithereens board will somehow come to life if certain incantations are performed over it or magic varnish is applied.</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000= 000 size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3> Know how I know??? Cause long ago &nbs= p;I used to be there & was disappointed & my sleep suffered.</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>Same for old boards, in my opinion. = When I hear an old piano in need of restoration, I always take the time to tune i= t, and I can then hear, even with worn hammers, loss of crown etc. if th= e board has a personality (that is, thus, a blend of so called defects) that= makes me want to give it it's chance to appear in full monthly.  If I= don't feel it has potential, I don't buy it.</FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUO= TE> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3> Your ears are  probably really good &= amp; <U>you</U> can hear it, meaning defects and loss of crown & tonal vitali= ty.. For me I just had to get honest & put myself in the place of the poor trusting client and ask. Would I wanto to pay for the product I was producing. After restoring everything else would I compromise the very = soul of the instrument.</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>   The answer became a resounding=   NO!!</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><= FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size= =2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=3>Newer boards may or may no= t have personality.  In my world, they are like 1m75 blondes with B2 breasts= and sinusoidal shape at hips with 65 kg weight and red lipstick.  Why do = I prefer redheads with the nose slightly bent to the left a tiny bit overwei= ght and with intelligence in the look</FONT> ?</FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE= > <DIV><FONT size=3><STRONG> May I suggest Stephane, that it's possible the <U><EM>new boards you</EM></U> are hearing probably do loo= k like the blondes you describe. A good rib crowned new board howeve= r has a lot of personality & probably resembles your taste in redheads. Yeah Baby!!!!!!</STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>  Friendly greetings back your way</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>  Dale</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><= FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size= =2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Friendly greetings,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>St�phane Collin.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>