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Step 9
Soundboard

Posted Sep. 2, 2003

Since the soundboard is the source of a piano's sound, it is essential that cracks in the board panels and bridges (which carry the sound from the strings to the board) be fully repaired. Renaissance offers three possible solutions to this common problem. All repairs begin by heating the soundboard to remove moisture before closing the cracks. The soundboard must be heated to at least 90 degrees for two to three days to expunge internal moisture from the sensitive spruce panels. During the heating process, the cracks in the soundboard will widen as the panels contract.

After drying, we clean the edges of the cracks. In the most common repair method, thin cracks are filled with liquid epoxy. This epoxy is sanded down and another layer applied to level the surface with the rest of the board. The entire soundboard is then sanded. Repairs are made to the treble and bass bridges where hairline cracking at the hitch pins is often a problem. Many pianos will have the hitch pins replaced.

Another repair method uses custom-made spruce shims. The cracks are routed using an overhead miniature track router. New spruce shims are glued and pressed into the cleaned and cut cracks. Planing and sanding level the soundboard surface.

When soundboard replacement is chosen a custom new board is made to exacting standards.

All soundboards are finished with fine coats of high quality varnish for durability. These coats are extremely thin so as not to impede sound transmission.

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