<HTML><BODY STYLE="font:10pt verdana; border:none;"><DIV> List</D=
IV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> In Dec. I entered a p=
osting on the topic of looking for a Sitka spruce /soundboard panel =
source. As I really like working with Sitka and have had excellent t=
onal results I was anxious to find either raw wood or ready to work panel=
s. Rick Wheeler of Roseland Piano company , The guy who makes new ke=
y sets), and I have talked extensively about finding a reliable sour=
ce of wood and or producing panels ourselves.</DIV> <DIV> As it turn=
s out those conversations have motivated Rick ,who has the knowledge ,exp=
ertise and facility to produce boards, to commit to a new Premium so=
und board making enterprise. </DIV> <DIV> H=
e has been working with the wood broker for the former Stein & Volk /=
Sound Woods soundboard panel supplier in McCall Idaho. The Wood broker&nb=
sp; has been able to locate adequate sources of Sitka & Engelman Spru=
ce as well as a Sitka cross breed.</DIV> <DIV> Productio=
n will start soon. Rick says the quality of the premium Sitka will =
knock your eyes out. My previous experience with panels from the now defu=
nct Sound Woods Co. were by far the finest example of Sitka boards =
I have ever witnessed.</DIV> <DIV> Ricks goal is to provide p=
remium quality boards to independent technicians. He is currently working=
on perfecting his tongue and groove assembly techniques for production a=
s opposed to the standard butt joint configuration. This joinery techniqu=
e increase the strength and durability of the panels and resists com=
pression swelling around the glue joints which as you know is where=
most of the cell damage occurs in soundboards exposed to excess humidity=
over time. Rick is also a piano tech./ rebuilder himself and knows what =
the guys in the trade want. What a relief.</DIV> <DIV> It's a=
lways great for our business to have new suppliers including soundbo=
ard suppliers as there aren't that many of them.</DIV> <DIV> If any=
are interested in placing an order Call Rick at 1-503-654-1888 in Milwau=
kee ,Oregon.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> Best--=
--Dale Erwin<BR><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>