Piano Soundboard Crack — What Now?

It’s a common misconception that if a piano soundboard cracks, the life of the piano is over. That’s understandable. Most of us have experience using wooden objects — cabinets, window frames, tennis rackets, and more. Generally, when a wooden item cracks, it’s time to replace it.

But the surprising reality is that cracks in a piano soundboard don’t necessarily mean you have to go out and buy a whole new piano. In fact, many cracked soundboards can be repaired.

How to Tell If a Piano Soundboard Is Cracked

It’s not unusual for older pianos to develop cracks in the soundboard, also known as hairline fractures. These are thin visible cracks through which no light can be seen. This is normal, part of the wood aging process, and if they don’t impact the sound of the piano, can be left alone.

However, if you’re concerned about the issue, there are ways to find out if your piano’s soundboard is cracked:

•  Visual assessment. Take some time to inspect your soundboard in a well-lit environment. Take note of any visible cracks, splits, or separations in the wood.
• Tactile inspection. Gently run your fingers across the soundboard, feeling for any raised areas or splits that would indicate a crack.
• Buzzing sounds. If you hear buzzing or rattling sounds when you play various keys, it may indicate cracks in the soundboard.
• Consult a piano technician. A certified piano technician can thoroughly inspect your soundboard and make recommendations about repairs if it is cracked.

Cracked Soundboard Piano Repair

If a piano technician discovers a crack that is greater than 1/16″ or more, they will examine the piano to determine if the soundboard is beginning to separate from its glue joints between the ribs, liner, or rim.

Repairs for these piano soundboard cracks can be expensive depending on their location and severity. The process could entail repairing the cracks or even full replacement of the soundboard, which is considered a piano rebuild.

Deciding to move ahead with the repair or replacement of a rattling soundboard depends on the value of the piano, whether monetary or sentimental.

How a Piano Technician Can Help

As a certified piano technician for A Kopp Music, I inspect the condition of a piano’s soundboard each time I perform piano tuning or other piano services. I note the condition of the piano soundboard so that I can spot changes over time or make recommendations for keeping your piano in the best possible condition for the long run. The latter might include suggestions on room placement to avoid temperature changes brought about by a furnace or air conditioning unit, moving the instrument out of direct sunlight, or adding a DamppChaser Humidity Control System.

In addition to soundboard inspections of a piano you now own, I will perform evaluations on a used piano you may be considering buying. This ensures that your new-to-you piano is in good condition and that the expense of moving it and keeping it tuned is worthwhile. In fact, we strongly urge you to have a certified piano technician evaluate a piano’s condition before moving ahead with the purchase of the instrument.

For more information about piano maintenance, piano tuning, or any of our other A Kopp piano technician services, or to schedule a service call, contact us at A Kopp Music today. We’ll be happy to give you a free estimate for our professional piano technician services*.

*Every service call is subject to a non-refundable $85 service call fee. This fee applies to any services initiated at the time of the estimate. Payment of the fee is required at the time of service call completion whether services are accepted or declined.