In these photos, the soundboard making process is seen. We are using Ciresa Soundboard panels from the Valle de Fieme forest in Italy, the same forest where Stradavarius harvested wood. This is the only managed tonewood forest in the world. The Norwegian spruce in this forest matches the Adirondack spruce used in the vintage American and Canadian pianos. Unfortunately, bad forest management means there is no reasonable source of supply anymore. Ciresa soundboards are used by such companies as Fazioli, Bosendorfer and others.
Fitting the ribs and checking bridge positions:
Fitting the panel
Fitting the ribs perfectly to the rim
Gluing the ribs to their precise location on the panel
Planing the ribs to match the originals
Original board and new board
The Completed Board Finished with Shellac and Varnish in Final Drying Before Installation
Note the unfinished board for a Mason and Hamlin behind this board
Gluing the Soundboard into the Piano
Spraying the soundboard with non-toxic materials.
