Over seventeen years of piano rebuilding, including string scale design as well as the construction of practically every part of a grand piano, have provided us a new perspective on how to substantially improve tonal quality. Our approach of tone quality control is now enhanced by a comprehensive understanding of the determining parameters in sound production, as an accurate hierarchy and chronology of causes and consequences, growing into eccentric circles, from “fundamentals” to “peripherals”. At the origin of the tonal specificities of a piano, we find of course the string scale, determined by the size of the instrument. The string scale is an ensemble of data regarding lengths, diameters, forces, as well as many other acoustical and mechanical specificities, in relationship with the frequencies. A string scale spreadsheet can include over eighty columns of data for one single note. However, all these computed data will be brought to tonal life through the mechano-acoustical device that is capable of projecting them into the audible world, a device with mobility and responsiveness, designed and manufactured as to achieve these tasks at the best of its capability. This device is the soundboard system, also known to the trade as “the belly”.

By soundboard system, we understand a completely integrated mechano-acoustic entity, including the piano rims, the ribbing, the soundboard panel, the bridge(s), all of the above being shaped and dimensioned in relation to their function within the ensemble of forces they are reacting to, and for the motions they are meant to perform. This entity is not only projecting the sound of the strings stricken by the hammers, since it also “textures” it, adding body and color, through its own material and volumetric specificities.

We now engineer and manufacture pre-stressed ribbed soundboard systems, whereby the panel is supported in tension-compression by laminated ribs, following progressive radii patterns, in relationship with the anticipated downbearing loads, and whereby the ribs are custom dimensioned and manufactured in our facility, using the most advanced wood bonding technologies and materials, involving laminating under vacuum in custom made molds. This technique provides equal pressure throughout the entire ribs, and further throughout the entire rib/panel bonding, as well as spring-back control. We use Sitka Spruce for the rib laminations and for the soundboard panels, and Michigan Hard Maple for our laminated bridges and capping. Our bridges are also shaped to match the longitudinal progression of the rib radii. Beech, Mahogony, Walnut and Oak are also available as to “cocktail” the color and celerity of the bridges. Graphite-epoxy coatings, providing excellent string sliding, and accurate notchings and drillings are all performed in our facility. The current result of our research and development dedicated to soundboard design is a product featuring:

• an evenness of dynamics throughout the entire range of the instrument; the progression of the radii provides a balanced raise of power up to the very high treble, starting with a mellow bass, equally enhanced by a deep sustain. No holes, no “killer octave”
• an evenness of stabilized resistance to the vertical components of the loads, whereby the anticipated nominal flexions correspond very closely to the actual final flexions, thus allowing the rebuilder to control the downbearing more accurately. No creep of the ribs, no loss of power
• a beautiful tone color given by the Sitka Spruce, yet light and transparent enough as to let the other specificities of the piano (stringing, voicing, touch) be enhanced by a sensitive and resilient soundboard system.

We engineer and manufacture our soundboard systems to the trade as well as for our private clientele. For more information and prices, please call us at:
(734) 369 2801 or email to arnopianos@aol.com

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Links:

www.stephenpaulello.com
www.goldenacoustics.com
www.pianostring.com
www.hellerbass.com

Testimonials:

“It is my distinct pleasure to offer high praise to Arno Patin as a dedicated and talented craftsman … The result of Arno’s work was beyond my expectations. Not only did he restore the instrument to the beautiful sound and precise action that I had remembered…, but he restored the cosmetic beauty of the piano to a level I had not seen before. I owe him many thanks.” William Backstrom, Ann Arbor

“Arno literally resurrected our piano!”
Yannik Blocher, The Biblical Society, Paris

E-mail Arno at:
arnopianos@aol.com