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A440

The Music Industries Awards were held this week in London. And the winner of the "Best Acoustic Piano" is.......
Cavendish 121 Contempoary.
First English built winner for many years.
More details here...
http://www.cavendishpianos.com

Details of MIA...
http://www.miamusicawards.com/2014-winners

A440

Yes, Broadwood still going strong. Exhibiting at Shanghai Music Fair in October and a brand new website..
http://www.broadwoodpianos.com

A440

Excellent short film about Cavendish, the British piano makers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPmgBJOYfqw

A440

I've always used a baby's bottle warmer for glue. Hair straighteners are good for warming hammer butts. I've seen both in use in piano factories.

A440

There is a digital janko available
http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/09/ch ... f-88-keys/
Has anyone here tried it?

A440

Short film about Cavendish the British piano manufacturer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pebybHGx ... ata_player

A440

This is worth a look. He gets talking after about 4 mins and it gets more and more interesting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... K4REjqGc9w
I'm going to look at one tomorrow that is in a state of mid-restoration (and has been for some time!)
Wish me luck!

A440

Barry Caradine bought some of the Kemble equipment which is now used to make some parts for the Cavendish. A couple of ex-Kemble employees did set up on their own doing polyester repairs but I haven't heard any recent news. Intermusic bought Marshal and Rose, Challen and Bently the latter two of whi...

A440

High quality sound files of Cavendish are now available. Have a listen!
http://www.cavendishpianos.com/about.html

A440

Here's some interesting stuff about tone colour... Does anyone on here regularly tune in Well Temper? (By the way has it been mentioned how good Britannia's looking in her santa outfit! although in the words of the old song "her feet's too big") KEY COLOURS About Key Colour “Key colour” is absent in...

A440

Yes playing the piano is a very creative, intuitive process which is to me the most important part of my life in many ways.
But, as a tuner, I can tell you there is no tone colour in ET. it's not my opinion it's just a mathematical fact. Sorry!

A440

Hopefully not pointless. You are simply confusing pitch with key colour. I'll try again. It's a tricky concept but stick with it and try not to be rude. ;) On a piano we can record a triad of A flat and speed it up to produce a triad of A. The intervals are equal there is no difference in colour. It...

A440

Bolloc*k? Yes, of course! An orchestra translates the nuance of pitch. But not on a piano! Yes,as you say, if you are listening to one piece after another changing the key adds relief but there is no "reason" for it. By "reason" I mean key nuance or colour. B flat major sounds no more triumphant tha...

A440

Well generally people do. But the point is there's no real reason to. Like I say this sounds like heresy, and I guess I'm playing devil's advocate but only to prove a point. That point being there IS no difference on a piano.

A440

Hi Jonathan the 2nd (good name!), Yes you are right! Very astute of you (I guess you are a scientist/engineer) It's seldom recognised that the subtle differences in keys are lost when using a piano. Much misunderstood, this is because the "colour" of the key is lost on a fixed note instrument ( a vi...

A440

I think they worry that walls have Chinese ears! When you see how blatantly all their designs are ripped off I can understand it. These are techniques that have been perfected through trial and error for centuries and are worth even more than a 30 foot piano!

A440

There's a very long and interesting thread on Pianoworld forum dating from 07 but no recent update. I think it's amazing innovation -which is very seldom practical- but without it we wouldn't have things like pianos. I can see them being like church organs built into concert halls of the future perh...

A440

Yes! They've got some new models out soon which look less like diving boards and more like yachts.

A440

Was just reading my Pierce Piano Atlas (a quiet day at the shop!) and came accross Klavins-Klavierbau which was a new one on me.
Quite extraordinary!
http://www.klavins-pianos.com/index_en.htm

A440

Yes I am on the case. I spoke to Sauter and they promised to interview a technician after Carnival. (the Germans get a week-long party we get a pancake !)

A440

Hi NewAge, Yes, have all our Sauters voiced to the Classic standard. We keep the 130 next to the Bechstein Concert 8 (also a 130) so comparisons can easily be drawn. After the weekend I will post details of the technical differences in Sauter's voicing as a new thread so it's easier to find for inte...

A440

Yes, we always keep a masterklasse 130 in stock.

A440

This is probably a circular argument. But as you said Steinway are the Rolls Royce of pianos - not everyone wants to drive a Rolls Royce there are plenty of other excellent makes.

A440

,From a tuner/tech/stringer/action rebuider/etc the Steinway pianos of today and 100 years ago are in a class of their own regards materials design patents and build quality,how often do you have to replace soundboards,wrestpalnks the answer never the prices are not over inflated they are the Rolls...

A440

I've got a bit jaded by "web reviews" there is one well known "piano review" site that is just a fabrication designed to tempt readers into buying a branded digital piano! I think you will probably be able to find good and bad reviews about almost any product on the web. There is also a lot of axe g...

A440

It's a jolly fine instrument and many would say hard to beat for an upright (I forsee that ruffling a few feathers and causing Steinway related posts!) Anywho at this level it's just what grabs you as has been said many times. You can find more info on the Bechsteins from following the Bechstein li...

A440

In answer to your question, yes the Concert 8 is the same shape and similar design as the 124 just bigger. We have one in stock - we keep the entire range of Bechstein uprights in stock. It's a jolly fine instrument and many would say hard to beat for an upright (I forsee that ruffling a few feather...

A440

Bluthner are just around the corner too (if we are allowed to talk about pianos that arn't Steinway!!)

A440

The hoffman would be a good choice. As I'm sure you know, Hoffman are made by Bechstein. You could consider going for a new bechsein but a smaller model. You may be able to find one at the same price. It would certainly be worth trying. You may even find a larger ex-display model within budget. It i...

A440

,they must be doing something right to have been around so long. Sauter have been around longer than Steinway and are still in the hands of the Sauter family. It's all down to taste really we are talking about 2 prestige makers, but Steinway is about as far removed from Sauter as it's possible to b...

A440

Yes, that's a good idea. We've had a few customers go over and see their piano being made (really!). One couple, Pauline and Andrew were kind enough to write their experience up as a kind of blog. They got 5 star treatment from Sauter and I must say I'm rather jealous! Sauter blog... http://www.york...

A440

I get asked alot what the "difference" between a digital and real piano is. It's quite a difficult question particually with a top end digital. The best replies I've thought of sa far are... It's like the difference between listening to a stero or having live music played in your front room. Or, it'...

A440

I've had a couple of customers unhappy with Kemble pianos just "it doesn't sound like it did in the showroom" or "this note sometimes sounds a bit funny" and after we have done our best to rectify the situation, Kemble have gone out and in both cases replaced the piano! They give real 5 star service...

A440

Hello again James! The leg type is called gate-leg and are somewhat prone to being wobbly - hopefully yours arn't, it can be quite a pain to fix. G & K made lots of fancy exhibition pianos. I once had a beautiful upright with art noveau marquetry of Klimpt-like ladies with flowing hair on it. Exquis...

A440

Sorry to bring this interesting thread back to original topic. Nobody has mentioned the Kemble grand yet. We have one in Yorkshire Pianos which sounds superb. With your budget you could even try a Bechstein or even the 160 Sauter (yes we have one! They are pretty rare in uk may even be the only one?).

A440

If you do come down to Northern England a visit to Yorkshire Pianos would be very worthwhile we keep all the Bechstein and Bluthner uprights (the complete range) as well as several Sauters which are amazing pianos. We have a lovely new large showroom surrounded by beautiful countryside in Bolton Abb...

A440

Just been Googling spray-on formica finish. Did I misunderstand Barry, you're talking about a paint rather than applying a laminate and trimming it? Can't find any mention of it but would like to know more if poss. Cheers!

A440

Yes! Roy and Betty are next door still. Strange as I'm a tuner, he and his wife worked all their lives as technicians looking after education pianos in London and my neighbour on the other side is an organ builder! We all live in Otley which itself has a history of piano making (Laurance and Nash). ...

A440

I'm sorry but...

One Piano
Two or more Pianos

Here's a tip- if you struggle with apostrophes,
just don't bother using them ever and you'll end up being right more of the time!

PS are you suggesting Harrods is a cheap place to shop!?

A440

Hello again Chris,
don't know if you've already tried Reubin Katz. He is an old friend and may be able to help;
Reuben Katz Pianos, R/O The Old George, Fore Street, Milverton, Somerset, TA4 1JU

Telephone: 01823 401454 Mobile: 0781 3046110

A440

Yes, he's a truely remarkable young man. I have been in correspondence with him a little and he has lots of questions about stringing patterns which I intend to post here shortly. Adrian Mann - 2008 General Scholarship Recipient Inventor, Timaru To construct the world’s largest piano “My doubts abou...

A440

This is really very inspiring!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQpnMDaF-aE

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PI8RYIeypM

Hope it doesn't get too hot in that tin shed!
but I expect he's thought of that -he is clearly a genius!

A440

Good Luck!

A440

sorry! missed the bit about no more motor analogies!

A440

The new verses old debate depends on the use. If I have a family with a couple of keen kids who are interested in a restored turn of the century Steinway upright I have to point out "it's like doing the school-run in an old Rolls Royce." I convince them to buy a new Kemble- they get the right piano ...

A440

I can't really see any "good reasons" for not buying a new piano from your local dealer if that is your budget. OK it may be more like 1700-1800 quid but you know Exactly what you are getting, it is guarranteed and a very good investment (new pianos are going up in price almost daily). You will prob...

A440

Here's a couple of photos of the New Kemble Chopin at Headingley pianos. Retail is £5999 but I'm told this is due to rise! Strings do vary in quality tremendously (like pianos). These are handmade by Bosendorfer and have very high purity of copper and are drawn to very high tolerance. Anyone who's e...

A440

Have just seen my first Kemble Chopin- the new upright 121. A real thoroughbred! The best piano to come out of the Kemble stable in my opinoin! Like the Mozart it uses the highest quality of soundboard stock, upgraded hammers and-the 'piece de resistance' -Bosendorfer bass strings!

A440

If cheap meant good it would be fantastic. Who fancies going out for a really cheap meal- great! Instruments are not like microwave ovens, there' a lot to go wrong. Oh, you say, but they have a 'Yamaha guarantee'- what can possibly go wrong? Look carefully what a Yamaha guarantee means who upholds i...

A440

It's sometimes a caster, make sure they are all touching the floor- if not chock up. Tap stings down on bridge, but it sounds more like sympathetic vibration- remove case parts one by one. If necessary remove action and strike string with spare hammer sounds crazy but then at least you know. But my ...

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