QUESTION:
Thank you for the YouTube video on replacing soundboards. I’d like to know your opinion on something if you don’t mind, which will be one of many opinions I’ve been gathering to make sense out of this.
I am having my 1927 Steinway M restored by a very skilled rebuilder. He examined my piano and told me that the soundboard is in great shape. I’ve also been in contact with the piano technician that maintains our school pianos who is also familiar with my tech’s work (and highly recommends him). This tech is urging me to replace the soundboard because it has been under x tons of tension for 90 years and since the piano will be dismantled, that’s the time to do it.
I’m not sure what to do. My technician said it would almost be a crime (and a waste of money) to throw a soundboard in this condition into the trash just to replace it for the sake of replacing it (I kind of agree, but I don’t have enough technical knowledge about soundboard aging to say that’s the route I should go with). My rebuilder also has a great reputation for crafting soundboards for pianos that need it. My concern is that the piano IS 90 years old, and if I kept the old soundboard, what longevity can I expect going forward? I’d hate to have to send the piano to a rebuilder again just to do the soundboard 20 years down the line, if you know what I mean.
So I guess the overarching opinion I’m asking for is this: in a vintage piano such as mine, if the soundboard is in generally great shape, is it best to replace it for the sake of the longevity of the overall instrument or does it not really matter as long as it is humidified and cared for properly?
It’s an expensive undertaking to have a piano restored, and I’d hate to have to drop another $15K in a few decades because I didn’t do something when I should have…
Just looking for some thoughts from another source.
ANSWER:
You are asking a great question. I will share this answer with others facing similar challenges. There are different schools of thought on replacing soundboards. For example, any piano of this age sent to Steinway to rebuild will get a new soundboard no matter what condition it’s in. Yet there are those who believe that you are fundamentally altering the piano by replacing the soundboard. What is the right course of action?
The fact is, even brand new Steinways have varying quality of soundboards from one piano to the next. It is as much art as science crafting a soundboard in a piano. So, if you replace the soundboard in your piano, only then will you discover what sound the instrument will have.
There are no guarantees with soundboards. You could get a new soundboard and have problems down the line – or not. Environment plays a critical role in soundboard longevity.
Even if the soundboard on your piano had cracks or separation of the seams, a good rebuilder can rework the board and get excellent results if done properly. If the soundboard on your piano has no issues and exhibits good crown essential for proper tone, I personally would feel comfortable utilizing it when rebuilding the piano. If the piano is in good enough condition to assess the quality of the tone, that would be extremely valuable in determining the best course of action. If the piano projects a powerful, sustained tone into the high register, then it will probably do a good job for you after rebuilding.
Just be certain that the fundamental structure of the soundboard is impeccable – no warping or serious separation from the ribs. Another important point is to go with the rebuilder’s recommendation. You wouldn’t want to have a rebuilder who believes you need a new soundboard to restore your piano without replacing the soundboard. If the rebuilder has confidence in the results they can achieve with the existing soundboard, you should be in good shape.
Even utilizing the original soundboard, the piano will be fundamentally different when the work is completed. Some people feel more comfortable knowing what they are getting.