Stonetone® Music, Inc. announces a revolutionary new concept in piano design, allowing it to greatly increase clarity of sound, sustainability of tone, and register integration of the entire keyboard range. It is all achieved by the direct and efficient transference of string vibrations through granite bridges to the soundboard.

Robert B. DiSanto, the inventor of this unique technology and owner of Stonetone Music, has teamed up with Daniel Koehler, resident technician and proprietor of Naples Piano Company, to retrofit pre-existing acoustic keyboards with these specialized bridges.

Stonetone's first opus, a 6'3 grand piano built by Baldwin in 1905, attests to the farreaching aspects of this kind of research. On first hearing, it is hard to believe that an instrument this old can produce such a bell-like quality in all registers. A second prototype, 2009 Story & Clark 5'1 baby grand has been developed with a brand new architecture of bridge, being a pyramid style. This novel change has produced an extremely vibrant and colorful tone particularly in the upper treble register.

"The secret to all of this lies in minimizing fall-off of the sound even when the original notes are played very loudly," says Dr. Richard Bosworth, spokesperson for the company. He goes on to explain, "It is impossible to bang on these instruments because differences in dropoff of volume between the initial attack and sustained tone are virtually undetectable."

This immediacy of pure, clear sound without unwanted percussive effect has many artistic benefits. Music can be slowed down without losing the melody as well as interaction between layers of voices can be more clearly distinguished. It is the perfect transducer.

Voicing is quite distinctive in pianos housing granite bridges. Tests show this complete stone structure participates in activating the whole soundboard when notes are played; conventional wood bridges cover a much smaller range and are local to the sounding pitches. As a result, the low, middle and high registers of granite bridge instruments are seamlessly integrated, making current voicing practices redundant and even obsolete.

Regulation procedures like tuning are easier and more straightforward because the instrument holds its pitch better, is more stable between tunings, and involves less prep time after installing new strings.

There are also practical aspects to be considered in terms of life expectancy of the instrument. In contrast to wood structures, a tight molecular stone matrix is impervious to weather changes. This stabilizing influence encourages the crown (slight arc) of the soundboard to remain intact because the granite bridge is attached to it, forming an unchangeable support system. This means the soundboard will resist flattening out, thereby greatly extending the performance life of the piano.

Stonetone Music, Inc. is dedicated to addressing and improving issues of sound conductivity in musical instruments. Since 2005, their research team has successfully maintained a high level of consistency so that the musical public can experience the full effect these pianos produce in their sound. Dr. Bosworth says, "It is clear this new technology will revolutionize performance practices as well as instrument development and construction throughout the music industry."

For more information, contact Dr. Richard Bosworth, Media Relations for Stonetone Music, Inc. Email richard@stonetone.us or call (239) 919-6414. See the January online edition of the Slippery Rock Gazette for links to the audio tests comparing resonance of a standard grand piano and an StoneTone-enhanced piano.

Pictured here with the amazing Story and Clark baby grand piano is Daniel Koehler, resident technician and proprietor of Naples Piano company, and Dr. Richard Bosworth, celebrated concert pianist who tested the newly renovated piano. The new style of the stone bridge activates the entire soundboard when notes are played, as opposed to wood bridges, which only activate locally. As a result, all registers are seamlessly integrated.

This retro-fitted piano uses granite for the sounding board together with a new pyramid style, creating a clear and sustainable tone, particularly in the upper register.

Robert B. DiSanto, the inventor of the new granite bridge and owner of StoneTone Music.

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