[ Steve Greatrex wrote in 120113 MMDigest:

> I have relocated my Mikado Polyphon to a new (toy) room but now
> it sounds totally different.  In this new setting, it has no bass!

There seems to be information missing such as the dimensions of
the rooms and the contents of the rooms, what the ceilings are like.
Does 'dry lined walls' mean Sheetrock(tm) [gypsum plaster panel]
on studs?

The one comparison that is really interesting is the floor.  The
suspended wood floor is most likely acting as a very large soundboard
to the instrument, which would enhance the bass, the concrete floor
with foam board insulation on it acts as a reflector and absorber of
the sound.

I like the idea of knowing that nothing happened to the instrument
in the move.  Most likely you would be looking for a crack in the
soundboard or a loose joint where the soundboard attaches at the rim,
or a brace that is loose.  But something pushing against the soundboard
would do the same thing or maybe the structure that the combs are on
came loose from the soundboard.

But assuming that nothing did go wrong, I think the floor is your
answer.  I don't think your ideas will work unless you make the board
you put the Polyphon on to be more like a soundboard.  The board should
be suspended on all sides like a drumhead is on a drum.

Wayne Beckman
Helena, Montana