when you low down the humidity, you are not afraid to receive new cracks? The lowered soundboard, is that the reason for the soft sound of old grand pianos? or is the modern piano constructed to be more powerful and brilliant? A modern piano, specially the concert grands do have thicker soundboards than the old, for example Bechstein or Blüthner?
Thanks for your Question. By drying down new cracks appear, but I prefer, when the y appear know and not later. The soft tone of old pianos: Old pianos often have soft or played down hammers, thats the most important resason. Today most pianos have a Duplex scaling and are designed for louder sound. The thickness of soundboards has not changed in general, soundboards are generally as thin as possible and as thick as needed. Kind regards Fabian
Fantastic video and explanation. My question is why not simply replace the soundboard with a fresh new one? That would make the piano last longer and provide sufficient crown. Wouldn’t the old board just be susceptible to more cracks and loss of crown later on due to age? Also, are compression ridges signs of a board about to crack? Do you consider them damage that require repair?
first I take off the laquer and then the sounboard is pushed up an dried intensivly. If you do this there is no reason for it to crack again. what are " compression ridges"?
@@sarbachpiano compression ridges are protrusions such as lines or swelling along the board due to humidity changes. The board deforms by having elevations that look like lines due to humidity swings. They haven’t opened up as cracks, but they do show that the wood has been subjected to weather changes. Are they potential cracks waiting to happen?
Very informative, thank you.
Fantastic description, thank you!!
when you low down the humidity, you are not afraid to receive new cracks?
The lowered soundboard, is that the reason for the soft sound of old grand pianos? or is the modern piano constructed to be more powerful and brilliant? A modern piano, specially the concert grands do have thicker soundboards than the old, for example Bechstein or Blüthner?
Thanks for your Question. By drying down new cracks appear, but I prefer, when the y appear know and not later. The soft tone of old pianos: Old pianos often have soft or played down hammers, thats the most important resason. Today most pianos have a Duplex scaling and are designed for louder sound. The thickness of soundboards has not changed in general, soundboards are generally as thin as possible and as thick as needed. Kind regards Fabian
How about bridge cracks? How much can they affect the tone?
No sustain and a metallic, buzzing sound
Fantastic video and explanation. My question is why not simply replace the soundboard with a fresh new one? That would make the piano last longer and provide sufficient crown. Wouldn’t the old board just be susceptible to more cracks and loss of crown later on due to age?
Also, are compression ridges signs of a board about to crack? Do you consider them damage that require repair?
first I take off the laquer and then the sounboard is pushed up an dried intensivly. If you do this there is no reason for it to crack again. what are " compression ridges"?
@@sarbachpiano compression ridges are protrusions such as lines or swelling along the board due to humidity changes. The board deforms by having elevations that look like lines due to humidity swings. They haven’t opened up as cracks, but they do show that the wood has been subjected to weather changes. Are they potential cracks waiting to happen?