Your piano’s soundboard is its heart, literally responsible for the sound you hear. Every note you play vibrates through the strings, but it’s the soundboard that turns those subtle vibrations into the rich, resonant voice of the instrument.
When that heart weakens, through cracks, crown loss, or age, the entire personality of your piano changes.
Soundboard replacement typically costs $3,500–$9,000 and becomes necessary when cracks are severe or when the soundboard’s natural curvature (known as the crown) has flattened.
In this guide, we’ll help you recognize the signs of soundboard damage, understand when repair is possible, explore the full replacement process and cost, and see what makes Lindeblad’s craftsmanship trusted by thousands of piano owners.
Lindeblad’s senior soundboard craftsman Galo Torres, who spent 30 years at the Steinway factory, shares insights from decades of experience.
Meet Galo Torres by watching this video here: Galo Torres: The Belly Man
Understanding Your Piano’s Soundboard (And Why It Matters)
A piano’s soundboard is a large, precisely crafted wooden panel, usually Sitka spruce, that amplifies string vibrations into the full-bodied tone we associate with a great instrument.
Think of it like a speaker cone: the strings themselves are almost silent, but the soundboard turns those tiny vibrations into music that fills a room.
Technically speaking, most grand and upright soundboards are:
- About 3/8” thick spruce panels joined edge-to-edge.
- Crowned (slightly arched) to create tension and responsiveness.
- Ribbed underneath with carefully placed spruce strips to control stiffness and resonance.
This delicate combination determines roughly 90% of a piano’s tonal quality, its warmth, power, and sustain.
“A piano without a good soundboard,” Galo often says, “is like a car without an engine. Everything else can be perfect, but it won’t sing.”
Watch a Mastercraft Series video about the Soundboard: Bringing Back the Sound
7 Warning Signs of Soundboard Damage
Even the finest soundboards eventually show their age. Here are seven signs yours may need attention.
- Visible Cracks - Small hairline cracks can often be repaired, but larger openings (1/8” or more) typically require replacement.
- Loss of Crown - The crown gives a soundboard its power. When it flattens or becomes concave, tone and projection drop dramatically. Test it: Lay a straightedge across the soundboard—you should see a small gap in the center. No gap means the crown is gone.
- Buzzing or Rattling - Loose ribs or separated glue joints often cause buzzes. Sometimes this can be repaired without replacing the entire board.
- Weak or Thin Tone - If your piano sounds lifeless even after tuning, the soundboard may have lost its resilience.
- Uneven Tone Across Registers - When some notes sound full and others dull, the soundboard may have localized cracking or separation.
- Water Damage - Moisture causes warping, staining, and delamination. Example: Lindeblad once restored a piano that survived Hurricane Maria—its soundboard was completely warped and had to be rebuilt.
- Age (100 + Years) - Even a crack-free century-old soundboard can lose its elasticity.
Key Considerations
- Piano value: Is it a Steinway or other high-grade instrument?
- Sentimental value: Family heirlooms often justify restoration.
- Other restoration needs: If the piano also needs a pinblock or restringing, combining work saves labor.
- Budget and longevity: Repairs can extend life for a decade or two; replacement resets it for generations.
“If a piano is worth restoring,” says Galo, “soundboard replacement ensures you’re not limiting the instrument’s potential.”
Repair methods like shimming cracks, regluing ribs, or adding support bars can work, but only restore 70–90% of the original tone. A new soundboard brings it back to 100%.
What Affects Cost:
- Piano size: Larger pianos use more wood and labor.
- Wood quality: Premium Sitka spruce costs more but delivers superior tone.
- Rib design: Complex configurations increase labor time.
- Custom specs: Historic or rare pianos often require hand-fitted work.
What's Included:
- Custom-fitted new soundboard
- New ribs, glued and shaped
- Restringing (always required since strings and plate are removed)
- Labor for full disassembly, fitting, and reassembly
What Happens During Soundboard Replacement: A Step-by-Step Look
- Disassembly - Technicians remove keys, action, strings, and the cast-iron plate, carefully labeling and protecting each part.
- Old Soundboard Removal - The old board is detached and saved as a template. Rim structure is inspected for integrity.
- Rim Preparation - The inner rim is cleaned and planed for a perfect surface to receive the new board.
- New Soundboard Construction - Selected Sitka spruce is joined, shaped, and crowned.
- Rib Installation - Ribs are glued and clamped beneath the board in precise alignment.
- Soundboard Installation - The finished board is glued into the rim and clamped to cure.
- Bridge Installation - Bridges are either re-notched or replaced for accurate string angles.
- Restringing & Reassembly - Plate is refinished and reinstalled, new strings fitted, and action reassembled.
- Regulation & Voicing - Technicians regulate key action, voice the hammers, and perform several tunings.
(Total Timeline: 6–10 weeks depending on piano size and scope.)
What Makes a Great Soundboard? Materials Matter
Wood Selection:
- Sitka Spruce: The gold standard. It is lightweight, strong, and acoustically perfect. Used by Steinway and Lindeblad Piano for all premium restorations.
- European Spruce: Excellent tonal character, slightly different timbre.
- Other Woods: Used only in budget instruments; not suitable for professional restorations
Lindeblad Standards:
- Only Sitka Spruce for Steinway-grade work
- Kiln-dried to precise moisture content
- Grain orientation chosen for maximum resonance
“I learned at Steinway,” Galo says, “that soundboard quality is non-negotiable. You hear it in every note.”
Crown Precision
Proper crown is usually ¼″–⅜″ at the center. Too much curvature makes tone sharp and brittle; too little flattens it. At Lindeblad, crown height is measured to .001 inches for precision consistency.
Is Soundboard Replacement Enough, or Do You Need More?
A new soundboard often pairs naturally with other internal restoration work.
Common Add-Ons:
- Pinblock replacement ($3 k–$8 k) – ensures tuning stability.
- Complete restringing ($1.5 k–$4 k) – required after soundboard work.
- Bridge repair or replacement ($1 k–$3 k).
- Plate refinishing ($500–$1,500) – cosmetic and protective.
How to Protect Your New Soundboard (And Make It Last 70 Years)
- Maintain Proper Humidity - Keep relative humidity at 42–45 % year-round using a Dampp-Chaser or similar system. Fluctuations cause expansion and cracking.
- Control Temperature - Avoid heat vents, windows, or exterior walls. Stable temperature means stable tone.
- Tune Regularly - At least twice per year to maintain even string tension and load on the board.
- Schedule Annual Inspections - A qualified technician can catch small issues early, before they become structural problems.
Lindeblad Warranty
Every new soundboard comes with a 10–20-year warranty covering materials and workmanship, provided proper humidity control is maintained.
Soundboard Replacement: Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I just repair the cracks?
A: Sometimes yes, but repairs only restore 70–90 % of original tone.
Q: Will a new soundboard change my piano’s sound?
A: It restores the piano’s original character, often better than it has sounded in decades.
Q: How long will it last?
A: Typically 50–70 years with proper care.
Q: Is it worth it for an upright piano?
A: Yes for quality brands or family heirlooms; depends on value and sentiment.
Q: Can I replace the soundboard myself?
A: No, this requires specialized tooling and decades of expertise.
Q: Does Lindeblad use genuine Steinway soundboards?
A: Lindeblad uses Sitka spruce soundboards built to Steinway specifications, often superior to new factory replacements thanks to hand-voiced craftsmanship.
Is Your Piano’s Soundboard Ready for Replacement?
The soundboard is the heart of your piano. When it weakens, tone, power, and expression fade, but with expert restoration, that heart can beat beautifully again.
Typical cost: $3,500–$9,000.
Longevity: 50–70 years with proper care.
Get a free soundboard evaluation from Lindeblad.
Call 888-587-4266 or request an evaluation online.
Your piano will be personally assessed by Galo Torres, whose 30 years at the Steinway factory ensure every Lindeblad soundboard meets the highest standards of tone and craftsmanship.
“We don’t just replace a soundboard,” Galo says. “We bring back the voice of a piano that deserves to sing again.”
Read more information about the restoration process:
