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| Upgrade Parts |
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| - Bridge |
| - Soundpost |
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Every string player knows that there is a soundpost installed somewhere in his or her stringed instrument. But as this important part of the instrument has drawn less attention because it is not easily seen, the only development over the past centuries is said to have been ¡®getting slightly thicker¡¯ to expand the area touching the belly and the back of the instrument. Most instrument makers or repair shops mechanically install a stick of bright-colored spruce cut into an appropriate size inside the instrument. Likewise, string players don¡¯t care about its critical role in sound creation.
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But we need to be reminded that soundpost, the critical sound-transmitting channel connecting the spruce belly and the maple back, is called the ¡®soul post¡¯ in Japanese, literally meaning the post that keeps the soul of the instrument. |
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As in the cases of the bridges, the soundposts from the dismantled old violins were the ordinary ones apparently replaced in the later stage than the Stradivari¡¯s or Guarneri¡¯s time. Through the painstaking research work undergone concurrently with the bridge¡¯s, he studied on the ways to enhance sound through the soundpost. Again he showed his unique perseverance and untiring challenging spirit, as well as his erudite knowledge on physics and chemistry. In order to get alternative soundpost materials, he tested countless types of materials including special wood from Scandinavian region. But his conclusion was to choose the most suitable wood and treat it with natural varnish. He finally perfected his own natural varnish to maximize the effect of the soundpost as the most ideal channel to transmit sound from the belly to the back.
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Andrea soundpost, the first soundpost in the world treated with the varnish solution made from 4 natural ingredients, comes in yellowish brown or light/dark brown color. Once installed, string players will immediately notice the difference in the response of the instrument. Andrea soundpost has the following effects:
- Produces more solemn tones
- Enhances sound-wave generating ability
- Helps achieve efficient playing
- Guarantees instantaneous responses from the instrument
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By the introduction of Andrea Soundpost, this relatively underestimated part is expected to secure its place as an essential component of the instrument in its long quest for better sound, beyond the dimension of a simple ¡®accessory¡¯. Any string player will want to know what soundpost in installed in his instrument, and will have a great surprise to witness the changes taking place in his or her instrument simply by replacing the soundpost with Andrea brand. |
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Maestro Andrea Bang says that the installation of Andrea soundpost, the fruit of decades-long string-sound research, needs to be carried out with caution. For violins, the exact location is to be approximately 1 cm away to the direction of the tailpiece from the foot of the bridge under the E string. The distance is 1.5 cm for violas and 2 cm for cellos. Another thing to remember is that both the top and the bottom surface of the soundpost needs to be adjusted not to leave any gap between the soundpost and the front/back plate. In the areas with fluctuating temperature such as Korea, slight expansion or contraction of the instrument body caused by changes in temperature or humidity may affect stringed instruments of sensitive nature. Therefore, it is recommended to have an extra soundpost for winter seasons especially when high-quality part like Andrea soundpost is installed.
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