Hi William,
Despite the name "sound board", the argument was that the instrument
is so different in construction from other string instruments that the
sound board actually plays NO role in sound production other than as a
wall on a box. The other position argued that the sound posts are
needed to tension the sound board to allow it to resonate, much like
the difference between a slack and a tight drum head. The maker who
says they are important has shown me that the resonances generated
inside the body with a sound post and those without one are rather
different (at least for his construction). He actually test for proper
tensioning by blowing/humming into the instrument and listening to
what sounds are amplified, and I can attest that for his instruments
at least there was a distinct difference between instruments with a
soundpost and those where he had not introduced them.
The one who says they matter has MUCH louder instruments than the one
who does not, although it's possible that other factors account for
that difference. The maker who uses them also says that using the
sound post allows the resonances in the body to be established much
faster and results in a crisper attack and more consistent response.
If you look at the responses on this list, I'm now getting the same
diversity of opinion regarding them, with rather different
explanations for the reasons.
-Arle
On Sep 5, 2008, at 7:09 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hello Arle, In answer to you question about "sound posts" I don't
use them!! I prefer that the wheel assy. and keybox not touch the
soundboard. A sound post in my opinion will only deaden the sound
somewhat.
If the sound is directed to the back of the HG which is held against
the body of the player much of the sound will be absorbed by the
players body. A rich "voice" can be had by letting the soundboard
do its job, hence its name "soundboard".
Best regards
william pryor
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Arle Lommel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I have a quick question for the makers on the list, because I have
gotten two *very* different answers to this question while doing
research in Hungary. It concerns the sound posts in HGs.
I was told by one maker that he has confirmed in the laboratory that
the sound board of the HG really has little function and that the
sound posts are primarily a support for the frame. He said that the
sound of the instrument is generated by the box (body) itself and the
radiation of sound into the box.
The second maker told me that this is incorrect and that the sound
board plays a vital role in sound generation and that the sound posts
are thus vital as well.
These makers use rather different construction techniques consequent
to their opinions on the matter. Both makers are well regarded here
in
Hungary.
Can some of the experienced makers tell me what their opinions are on
this matter? I'd really like to know what the feeling is amongst
makers outside of Hungary. How important is the sound post in getting
the proper sound from a HG?
Best,
Arle
