<!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 6.00.2800.1264" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From the Kawai US web site - = enjoy!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><B></B> </DIV> <DIV><B>The Drying/Re-Moisturizing Process.</B> Kawai employs an = inventive method to create a permanent soundboard crown. The process begins as the = soundboard is literally "shrunk" using a super-drying process which = removes moisture to a level below 5% Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC). While = the soundboard's size is reduced, flat ribs with normal moisture content = (6-8% EMC) are carefully glued to the top of the soundboard. As it gradually begins = to receive moisture, the soundboard expands to its original size... but the = non-expanding ribs force the creation of a natural curvature which = becomes the soundboard crown. </DIV> <DIV> <P><B>Full Length Ribs.</B> Kawai's spruce ribs span the full length of = the soundboard. Kawai engineers have devised a technique for strategically = placing ribs in order to direct sound energy to the most responsive areas of the = soundboard. This helps balance bass and treble and enhances both power = and tone quality. </P> <P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Permanent crown? How long is permanent? = Strategically placed ribs? Direct sound energy?</FONT></P> <P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry = Farrell</FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>