To crack a soundboard when moving, the piano had to be dropped and if so more than the sound board would be damaged. When choosing whether to repair or replace your soundboard, it’s important to consider the level of damage. Open the lid of your upright or grand piano, and you’ll see a shiny, thin piece of wood beneath the iron plate that runs along the back or bottom of your instrument. Although, in theory, cracks and a loss of crown should result in a deterioration of tonal quality, the actual results vary greatly from piano to piano; therefore, the tone quality of each such instrument must be evaluated on its own merits. However, when crushed, wood fibers lose their elastic properties, so the compression ridges are likely to turn into cracks as the soundboard's crown diminishes over time. If so, the crack may have split the soundboard … It takes an experienced rebuilder to determine if a soundboard needs replacement. A related condition is that of compression ridges. Nearly all soundboards will crack at some point over the life of the piano. This is very common in older pianos and sometimes causes buzzing on specific notes. When a piano develops cracks from old age, the cracks can cause buzzes. When you play, the soundboard amplifies and radiates a large volume of sound into the air. The soundboard amplifies the vibrations of the strings via treble and bass bridges. One of the problems that comes up most frequently in buying a used piano is judging the significance of a cracked soundboard. We even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our services. I haven't had any issues with cracking at the repair site. This design allows for greater projection and air movement, which many piano makers have adopted since then. Years of vibration and climate changes can cause the soundboard’s pieces to split at the seams. The fact of the matter is that pianos are sensitive to changes in the climate and in the room conditions. The results were far better than I expected and the performance of the piano continued to exceed my expectations until I eventually moved from the area and lost contact with the owner. The good news is that most cracks do not create a noticeable difference in sound. The soundboard is one of the most essential parts of your piano. You can trust Bradfield Piano for your soundboard repair and replacement needs. In addition, your tolerance for such imperfections will depend on how expensive the piano is, and on your use of and expectations for it. Find the Piano sound you are looking for in seconds. I described my idea to my client and, with her encouragement – she was desperate – I ended up treating the soundboard in roughly the manner described below. From urban pop to the pathos of film music, mellow piano ballads, rock riffs to dark jazzy timbres, the unprocessed sound of THE GIANT Free satisfies immediately – immediately. They can provide insight on how to best preserve your piano’s sound and give pricing for a soundboard repair or replacement. Since the piano is completely held together by tension, any significant drop to the piano would of busted open the tension and damaged much more. If so, the crack may have split the soundboard into different pieces. Repair of rib separations can usually be done at reasonable cost without rebuilding the piano. Also, the crack is much bigger than it would appear. For over ten years, the Bradfield Piano team has rebuilt, repaired and restored Steinway and other piano soundboards with the best results in the industry. Solid spruce soundboards swell and shrink with seasonal changes in humidity and, over time, can develop cracks. If the soundboard has sustained extensive damage, we can remove the plate from the piano and replace the soundboard. I'm certain not keen to resolve any soundboard cracks as a DIY project, but hopefully the piano the buzzing can be resolved without substantial spend. FAQs on buying and selling. In such a case, other symptoms of this will usually be evident elsewhere in the piano. The repair is always done in the dry season. Is it any wonder why it is called a soundboard? While this may sound disconcerting, it does not automatically mean that the piano has to be rebuilt or replaced. You want to treat your piano like the treasure it is. Together, these two opposing forces enhance the tone of the piano. 10755 Sanden Dr STE 300 | Dallas, TX 75238 Buying advice. Although cracks in the soundboard appear from time and time again, they are often more of a cosmetic nature than functional. If the cracks have been filled with wooden shims, this means that, at some point, the piano was rebuilt and the cracks repaired. A soundboard crack that isn’t really a concern is one that will appear fairly straight, like a dark line where you can see that the wood has kind of separated. It will be impacted by consistent playing, and the vibration that … New pianos, because of new wood, will crack much sooner, sometimes even within a week after being exposed to very dry conditions. In a traditionally made, solid spruce soundboard, the crown is maintained by the compression of the wood fibers, whose elasticity causes … If not, the soundboard isn't structurally doing it's job. However, in many cases cracked soundboards go unnoticed because it usually does not influence the sound. Contrary to what the name implies, it is not one board, but several planked together, much like a hardwood floor. Humidity Swings And The Piano Pinblock . Keep in mind that even a deep split is not a cause for immediate alarm. Small cracks, especially along the seams where the wood pieces are joined together, occur after the board has had many years of vibration coupled with cyclical changes in the weather, usually accompanied by the drying of the wood and the glue used to … In this case, consult with a professional piano technician. Authentic parts give your piano the right tone and ultimately extend the life of your instrument. This can result in cracks and loose soundboard ribs. A soundboard of a (grand) piano has a vast amount of pressure exerted on it. I'm hoping the technician can provide advice on this. The fact of the matter is that pianos are sensitive to changes in the climate and in the room conditions. Play the instrument and listen — is there a pronounced rattle or buzz? Over many years, because of the drying out of the wood and the loss of the wood's elasticity, the soundboard loses some or all of its crown, a condition that can be accompanied by the appearance of cracks. Great piano with a lot of potential. A piano with a cracked soundboard should be carefully checked for rib separations before purchase. At Bradfield Piano, our experienced technicians apply advanced repair techniques to mend soundboard cracks and restore the instrument’s sound. If your piano receives a shock, like a flood or a drop during a move or relocation, you may notice a more serious crack in your soundboard. The good news is that most cracks do not create a noticeable difference in sound. For example, if the crack crosses a rib or you hear a lot of buzzing when the piano is played, then it’s very expensive and very problematic to try and fix that crack. But in the early 1900s, Steinway and Sons introduced their “diaphragmatic” soundboards. Excessive dryness can strain the joints and other laminated sections of your piano and cause cracking. Cracks can be repaired, retaining the original soundboard. That’s why it’s essential to conduct regular maintenance and repair of your soundboard. Unless, there is a rattle or buzz the soundboard will still perform, but the crack does devalue your piano. Then, the pin block and iron plate are mounted before the piano is strung. The soundboard needs repair (repairs estimated at ~1K), but the cost of repairs would be comparable to buying a very basic newer used upright from a piano store, and the sound quality of this piano would be MUCH BETTER. “…it is done so by hand, with hard-won expertise, and always with a nod to the elegant Steinway and golden age piano tradition.” Our Soundboard Restorations – Blending The Old & The New In very cold temperatures, wooden piano parts can weaken and may snap when the piano is played. Although soundboard cracks are not the death knell of a piano, they can cause buzzing and rattling that is unacceptable for a pianist. When a soundboard cracks, the most effective repair involves cutting out the crack and planking in a fresh piece of spruce. Cracks in the soundboard are common in older pianos and can cause buzzing, loss of volume, and poor sustain. (Reprinted from an article by Larry Fine). This is your soundboard. Also a few nicks and scratches and one missing ivory. Check bearing and crown everywhere in the piano you can reach, not just on the long rib as we were all taught. Without a soundboard, the music from vibrating strings would be difficult to hear. Unless you have repaired a cracked soundboard before, we recommend contacting a professional. When a crack develops, the spruce of the sound board warps and pulls away from the cross ribs. Contrary to popular belief, cracks in the soundboard, while often unattractive, are not necessarily important, as long as the tone is acceptable. Purveyor of rare, vintage Steinways and Mason & Hamlin. Cracks in the soundboard don't mean it's a Basket Case. In fact, small cracks are quite common and are usually not serious. The ribs run perpendicular to the grain of the soundboard, and therefore perpendicular to any cracks. Download FREE Piano sounds - royalty-free! Vibrating strings send the waves through the bridges and into the soundboard. The strings create the sound; the soundboard amplifies it. That produces an amplification of 45,000%. For more information on this subject, see The Piano Book. Whether you have a grand piano or an upright piano, fixing cracks is one of the most common soundboard repairs. We’re honored to have the chance to work with you. Many cracked soundboards can be easily repaired, but unless there are other problems with the board, these repairs are usually cosmetic. If the costs involved (overall) even start to approach a replacement piano, then I'll get rid of this piano and find another. We use only genuine parts in our restoration projects to mimic the original construction. Compression ridges are quite common, and do not necessarily affect the piano's tone. Soundboard cracks can be repaired with shims if there are only a few small cracks but is not advisable for a soundboard with many cracks. Play the instrument and listen — is there a pronounced rattle or buzz? And in cases like this the cracks are not even visible unless the lower panel is removed or the piano is turned around and looked at from the back – both which never really happen except during a tuning. The soundboard in any piano is exposed to humidity and other environmental swings during its lifetime. When a soundboard's compression exceeds the elastic limit of the wood fibers, those fibers may become crushed, producing slightly raised ridges in the soundboard's surface. • Cracked soundboard. In fact, small cracks are quite common and are usually not serious. If your piano receives a shock, like a flood or a drop during a move or relocation, you may notice a more serious crack in your soundboard. Soundboards vary in size depending on how large the piano is. When manufactured, the soundboard has built into it a curvature or crown. Four or five pieces of wood are glued together to form the soundboard, which is attached to the back bracing of the piano. Small cracks, especially cracks that form along the seams where the wood pieces are joined together, occur in most cases due to age. This can happen, for example, in humid climates, or due to conditions related to the soundboard's manufacture. The True Facts from the Piano Buyers Guide. Usually the piano involved is older than your G2, and ribs have separated from the soundboard adjacent to the crack - these must be re-glued. service@BradfieldPiano.com | 214-883-1885, © 2021 Bradfield Piano Restoration All rights reserved, 10755 Sanden Dr STE 300 | Dallas, TX 75238, only genuine parts in our restoration projects, Repairing Or Refinishing A Piano’s Veneer, A Guide To Preventing Damage To Your Piano. That’s why, when it comes to repairing a piano soundboard, hiring a knowledgable, proven technician is worth the investment. In most cases it is not a case to cause alarm. Our technicians have first-hand knowledge of how Steinways and other pianos are manufactured. Most soundboards are 5/8″ thick. Our factory-trained technicians are experienced in piano restoration, advanced repair techniques and piano refinishing. More humid conditions cause sound boards to swell, pushing the wood grain with force causing the soundboard sometimes to … Usually, cracks in a piano’s soundboard does not mean the end of it’s life. The Steinway soundboards gradually taper to 1/4″ thick at the sides. While this may sound disconcerting, it does not automatically mean that the piano has to be rebuilt or replaced. When manufactured, the soundboard has built into it a curvature or crown. Very extensive cracking, however, can indicate that the piano has suffered great climatic extremes, and that its life expectancy may be short. They are contained in tight spaces, controlled by the many parts that make … Repair of rib separations can usually be done at reasonable cost without rebuilding the piano. While soundboard cracks are obviously undesirable, and in some cases can cause serious problems, they are quite common in old pianos and they are usually repairable. In fact many, if not most, pianos will eventually develop some cracking in their soundboards. applied to the piano soundboard. Maximized Resonance, incredible projection and sound Radiation My piano soundboards are made to take full advantage of many acoustic properties and thus are not copies, but improved versions of the originals. Soundboard cracks can cause buzzing and rattles. Cracks and rib separations are usually repaired at the same time the piano is restrung. Depending on the nature of the crack, it may not even need any immediate intervention, but simply analysis and monitoring. In a traditionally made, solid spruce soundboard, the crown is maintained by the compression of the wood fibers, whose elasticity causes the crowned soundboard to push back against the downbearing pressure of the strings on the bridges. SoundPacks.com is a comprehensive source for free sample packs, drum kits, loop packs, and preset packs created by music producers and sound designers. Chicago Pianos.com - Illinois largest piano store featuring new and used acoustic, digital pianos and computierized player pianos. Keep in mind that even a deep split is not a cause for immediate alarm. (This runs contrary to popular thought on the subject, I realize.) I've never done this repair on its own - it's always been part of a restringing. You'll get the call, naturally, when it's dry. One of the problems that comes up most frequently in buying a used piano is judging the significance of a cracked soundboard. Any separation of a rib from the soundboard at a crack is a potential source of buzzing noises. It may sound acceptable in high humidity seasons, and horrible when it dries out. Soundboards must be perfectly balanced to eliminate any sound interference. Very extensive cracking, however, can be taken as an indication that the piano has suffered great dryness or climatic extremes, and that its life expectancy may be short. For this reason, a crack in the soundboard reduces the soundboard’s ability to amplify the vibrations of the strings only in relation to how much of the surface area the crack reduces the vibrating area of the board. Cracks in the soundboard, while unattractive, are not necessarily important, as long as the tone has not suffered. Some piano owners have been dismayed to learn from their piano technician that their piano has a crack in the soundboard. A piano with a cracked soundboard should be carefully checked for rib separations before purchase. Call our timely, responsive team to learn more about how we can restore and repair your piano. Solid spruce soundboards swell and shrink with seasonal changes in humidity and, over time, can develop cracks. Some piano owners have been dismayed to learn from their piano technician that their piano has a crack in the soundboard. Nearly all pianos develop cracks in the soundboard over the course of their lives, and rarely are these cracks serious enough to cause any bother. There should be positive bearing over positive crown everywhere. This is often a result of seasonal expansion and contraction of wood due to changes in humidity levels. The most advanced piano soundboard made today. Smaller cracks may not impact your piano’s sound enough to warrant repair; however, many grand piano owners opt to repair even the smallest of soundboard cracks, since the soundboard is often visible during performance. Used pianos will develop cracks after prolonged dry conditions. SOUNDBOARD CRACK! In extreme cases, fluctuating climate conditions can cause the piano’s soundboard to crack or its glue joints to fail. 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