Cracked Soundboard

A soundboard is a panel of quarter-sawn wood, generally spruce, ideally very straight-grained with the annular gain count above ten grains to the inch. This panel is “crowned” either by gluing it to ribs with an arc or gluing a low-moisture content to flat ribs and allowing ambient humidity to swell the non-ribbed side. The effects of years of seasonal cycles of increasing and decreasing humidity can cause splits or pressure ridges in the panel as the wood swells and shrinks. Contrary to the stories of a soundboard being useless or destroyed by these cracks, and the piano destined for disposal, a crack in a soundboard causes no loss of sound or structural integrity. Only when the crown is lost or the ribs become loose is there cause for concern. The downside of a crack in the soundboard is purely cosmetic.

In a grand piano where the soundboard is visible, a clean soundboard with a nice finish on it looks terrific. In the process of restoration, soundboards are frequently replaced or repaired and refinished. The soundboard and rib glue joints are carefully checked and reglued if necessary, cracks are filled with wood shims or epoxy, and a new finish is applied.

My piano thinks that Stuart Davidson hung the moon!! I traveled over 1,000 miles so that Stuart might have the opportunity to rejuvenate me. I was bought by Emma Schroke for $400.00 in 1913. I have seen three generations pound on my keyboard, but when I traveled from Texas to South Dakota, I was still relatively good. When Mr. Davidson finished with me – I was fantastic!!
Lois Fietz, Houston, Texas