Soundboard

A soundboard amplifies string vibrations to produce rich, vibrant tonal colors. Crowned toward the strings like the top of a violin, the board will be fashioned from white close-grained spruce.

Craftsmen cut bridges and ribs to conform to the soundboard’s crown. This method of manufacture locks the vital life crown in place for maximum tonal durability.

Soundboard Ribs

One rarely sees the soundboard rib. Often ribs remain out of sight and out of mind. Ribs perform two vital functions. They are cut to conform to the curvature (crown) of the soundboard and become notched into the grand rim or vertical soundboard liner. As such, they assure that the vital life-crown of the board will be stable through decades of performance. Feathered ribs at both ends allow truer amplification of string vibrations.

Secondly, ribs help disperse string vibrations for optimal tonal performance. Vibrations of strings travel with the grain of the soundboard wood.

Ribs capture the subtlest vibration and help amplify even the softest of tone.