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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello List and Terry F</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regarding these laminated panels - in =
fact
laminated soundboards of any instrument - there is no doubt that they =
are not as
good as the usual solid panel. To laminate incorporates a bonding =
between the
laminations and this must surely have an effect on the resulting sound
production. I know for sure that a 'cello with a laminated =
belly has
nothing like the sound quality of the normal carved belly. I can only =
assume
that the poor old sound waves aren't quite sure in which direction they =
are to
go as they travel with the grain. They probably cancel each other out =
and that
means poor quality output. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I must say I do go for the =
analogy
between the piano soundboard and the 'cello or Contra Bass so far =
as
efficiency of sound production goes. Laminations have only one thing =
going for
them IMHO and that is strength. We're not really looking for strength, =
per se,
in the construction of soundboards, but for maximum sound output of the =
highest
quality coupled with the strength to produce it. That's what =
Stradivarius
achieved with his instruments and that must be the goal of anyone =
attempting
that fickle art.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards from a sun-drenched beautiful =
day in a
Sussex Downland village. OK? we got sun?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael G =
(UK)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>