Here’s a little video on how piano soundboards function. Soundboards are a very important element of a stringed acoustic instrument. All stringed instruments from Harps, Violins, Guitars to Pianos have one. Their condition and quality of build, in large part, determines the sound quality of the instrument. Only a small percentage of piano shops in the US manufacture their own and install new boards when rebuilding. This allows the restorer to return the instrument to absolute like new condition. When proper lumber is selected, and extreme care is taken the rebuilder can match, or surpass, the quality of the original build.