391 20081101

The cracks in the soundboard have been shimmed with 15 year old spruce. Some people consider it desirable that older spruce should always be used, mainly for cosmetic reasons - there is more chance that the repairs won't stand out. I had run out of antique spruce, taken from wrecked pianos, and used some Alaskan sitka. Although the whole soundboard is visible before the frame is replaced and the piano restrung, utlimately only a small part of it is seen and that part is covered with a decal. The main thing is that the soundboard should produce a beautiful tone with a pleasing sustain.

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