Piano Maker’s Corner: Nuts, Pianos, & Voicing
For a regular piano manufacturer, the words “harvest time” would not mean a great deal. Phoenix Pianos, based on Hurstwood Farm in Kent, however, is no regular piano manufacturer. For…
Piano Maker’s Corner: How I Came To Be A Phoenix Technician
The story of how Doug Chapman came to be a piano technician determined to let the world know that British pianos are again up there with the best. Being Piano Technician…
Piano Maker’s Corner: A Small Act of Kindness
Many years ago, a loyal client came to Ley Pianos looking to buy a new piano for her daughter. They owned an electric keyboard, but, her mother knew that the…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Engineering Soundboards With Carbon Fibre
This article was written by Richard Dain. Additional comments, photos, videos etc. by Doug Chapman. The best soundboards need to be light weight and very stiff. We, at Hurstwood…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Rising From the Ashes: The Origins of Phoenix
Meet Doug Chapman, Head Piano Technician for Phoenix Pianos, a British piano company located on the picturesque Hurstwood Farm, near Sevenoaks in Kent, England! He and Richard Dain, founder of Hurstwood Farm…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Ability and Pin Blocks
Did you know that pianos have ability? Pianos are usually tuned to A440 (normal pressure). If they can’t be tuned to that, they are tuned to the best of their…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Piano Company Trivia
This piano company not only makes pianos and their own reed organs, but they also create furniture for the home and office. They have also produced a popular line of…
Piano Maker’s Corner: A Truly Moving Tale
This month, Daniel Ley tells us the tale of an unusual piano delivery he once made. This story made me think again about how we never know who our music…