<HTML>In a message dated 10/4/2002 3:41:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: how long until good sound Date:10/4/2002 3:41:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time From:<A HREF="mailto:Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no">Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no</A> Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet                    Ric,Stephane and all</BLOCKQUOTE>                              Lots of good comments already. Let me add that after hearing many new boards I believe there is a time period in which the board opens up.I've experienced this and I've spoken with Nick Gravgne and others about this phenomena and I believe it's definitely more than the hammers. As the board compression gets comfortable with the string load, the glue gets really hard at the joint and musical vibrations run thru the system etc. something very interesting is happening.  As someone pointed out though if it doesn't sound respectable initially  sometimes even waiting for the magic cosmic blooming effect won't get it to the point where it's a 10 but  at least perhaps better than you initially thought. >>>>>Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> I suppose this would depend in no small degree to the climatic conditions the instrument ends up in, and also on the kind of play and service it gets. Perhaps also depends on the kind of soundboard contruction... i.e. compression visa vi rib crowned. Certainly there is a significant time window involved tho. All things being optimal.... 1 - 3 years perhaps. RicB </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>