If you were going to purchase a new laptop, you would probably take plenty of time to learn about your options. Even before going to the electronics store to check out available models, you would probably do a little research on each manufacturer. You might want to know basics, such as – what makes a iMac run differently than a PC? Which kind of processor is most efficient? What size hard drive would work best for your needs? In many ways, purchasing a piano is much like purchasing a new laptop – you need to know more about its inner workings before you can truly decide which one is best for your home.

Just as with electronics, all pianos are not created equal and some piano manufacturers cut corners. One such area in which this is done is in the ribs. A piano’s ribs are extremely important to the construction of the piano, so warrant attention in regards to piano features. Glued to the back of the sounding board, the ribs serve three important purposes – the support the crown, secure the joints and spread vibrations over larger areas. If ribs are not made well, this will affect the sound of the piano. For example, if they are cheaply made or not fastened correctly, this will cause uneven vibrations and a strange buzzing sound.

Some piano manufacturers choose to use short, feathered ribs rather than the standard size, longer ribs because they use less material and the liner does not have to be notched, which also results in substantial savings in labor. However, the best and most top quality grand pianos, such as concert pianos, use full-length ribs. In addition to being sturdier, they provide a much better sound.

So next time you’re piano shopping, take the ribs into account. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s important to know everything about the investment you’re making before you make the purchase.

Now, you tell me: Even though longer ribs are proven to work better, why do you think some manufacturers still use short ribs?

As I’ve mentioned before, all pianos are not created equal. Each piano – especially high end instruments – are traditionally hand crafted using a variety of top quality materials. In order to understand how to select the best grand piano, you will need to understand the function and importance of each and every part. One of the most important elements of any piano is the sounding board.

The sounding board, a board made of thin wood slats, is largely responsible for the overall resonance of the piano’s sound. As any piano player knows, notes are created when small hammers inside the piano hit the strings. As the strings vibrate, the sounding board amplifies the notes and creates the satisfyingly rich tone we’ve all come to know and love.

The sound produced by a piano depends greatly on both the type of wood used to build the sounding board as well as whether or not the board is laminated. This is why all pianos are not created equal. For example, some sounding boards are made of spruce and vibrations are transported from the bridges to the center of the sounding board via the wood grain. On the other hand, if the sounding board is laminated, then it will be thinner and lacks grain lines. Vibrations will be drawn to the center of thinner boards much faster, resulting in a more violent vibration and a richer, stronger sound.

When purchasing a piano, beware of sounding boards made of cheaper woods as they are more likely to crack and cave. Because the sounding board is so important to the function of the piano, if it collapses you will most likely have to undergo a full piano reconstruction. After all – without the sounding board your piano cannot make the music you desire.

For those of you who currently own a piano, what tips do you have for potential piano buyers looking for a top quality sounding board?

Contrary to popular belief, all pianos are not created equal. The sound of a piano can change over time if it is not properly maintained. Some new piano buyers are aware of turning schedules and how to properly clean their new instrument, but there is much more to the construction of a piano that meets the eye. When it comes to high end manufactured pianos, each piece is individually crafted and carefully fit to the piano in order to create the richest and most beautiful sound possible.

The sounding board is one of the most important parts – so much so that it is often referred to as the “voice” of the piano. Although all pianos are not created equal, in quality made grand pianos. The sounding boards are made of solid spruce or maple wood slats about 1/6  to 1/4 inch thick. The slats are assembled with special edge glue and laminated for durability. In order to receive the richest and more resonant sound from your piano, your sounding board must be crowned. Additionally, the crown must be well cared for in order to maintain the right string tension.

One of the things I’ve noticed is that because pianos are made of wood, they are extremely affected by fluctuations in humidity. Storing a piano in an area of high humidity can even result the sounding board or crown to crack. If the crown cracks and collapses, the piano will need extensive reconstruction. This is why I suggest pianos to be stored in dry, temperature controlled spaces. Additionally, be sure to inspect the crown for cracks and signs of wear any time you tune up your piano.

When purchasing used pianos, always check the quality of the sounding board and crown to ensure it is a worthy buy. Here at Cooper Music, however, you can rest assured that all of our pianos are assembled with some of the best materials in the industry. We understand that all pianos are not created equal and we strive to offer the best experiences to all of our customers.

For now, tell us a little bit about your own experience with piano sounding boards. What are some of the best and worst quality pianos you’ve encountered?

The aim of purchasing a piano was to bring home some intellect stimulation and enjoyment. After all, a piano was not going to be any furniture piece needed to compliment my house décor. It had to play well and fulfill my aspirations as a pianist! And when I finally decided to bring home one, I learned a few things:

• preparation needed before buying a piano

• piano moving

• piano tuning

• myths about servicing before tuning a piano

Appraising a piano can be a rare experience….. Every piano looked elegant but before selecting a piano, my heart said that I should love the key touch and musical tone of the one I intend to buy. So it was important that I check a wide variety of pianos at the piano shop. Playing different pianos I realized that each gave a different response to my fingers. I then decided to go for the piano tone that appealed to my music sense the most!

Caring for the piano regularly……. Purchasing a good piano means spending a mini fortune. But buying one and neglecting it is a big no-no! I realized that a piano needs a bit of tuning every now and then.  Even when nobody is playing the piano, it needs regular tuning as a piano’s worst enemy is the weather! Lack of servicing it can mar its health and longevity!

Piano tuning is an art……Piano tuning is an art which needs only the skilled hands of a professional tuner. My several futile attempts made me decide that under no circumstances I would tune it myself. As with any other precious assets in life, a piano can develop problems and needs maintenance. It is worth spending on professional piano tuning than wasting thousands of dollars spent on its purchase. The lesson I learnd was never gamble with piano tuning!

Piano moving and myths about it……. Recently while shifting residence, I realized about piano moving and myths about it. Does a piano need some time to settle in a new place before being serviced? Of course, piano moving does cause some instability to it. Hiring a reputed piano moving company will help in safeguarding and making the shifting process devoid of stress. And there is no need to wait for a piano to settle down but schedule an appointment with a piano tuner at the earliest.