Author Archives: benfairlightedwards

Pianos went thru a bad period of experimentation with various plastics – but Kawai came thru with a brilliant set up: all bearing parts use traditional felts/leathers, except the JACKS, which are the best jacks I’ve ever seen… …Note the … Continue reading →

Unstable tuning, buzzing/false strings can be greatly helped by these TWO OPERATIONS: 1/Pressing out the distal portion (between hitch pin & bridge) of each string; 2/ Tapping strings to the bridge (both sides of the bridge: distal & speaking length … Continue reading →

In servicing this Zuckermann,           fitting new quills… The Apron Workbench I remembered – just in time – that it’s essential to check the strings’ seating on the bridge:   because the strings can easily ride … Continue reading →

This may be only a kit harpsichord (I’ve made several of them myself), but it has a nice enough sound (hopefully better still, when I’ve finished with it!) and deserves the same rigour of set up as any instrument. So, … Continue reading →

The local technician had recommended a new set of bass strings. I went thus prepared to take a rubbing… However, I did some tests on the very worst (either dead or buzzing) of them. None of those I tested had … Continue reading →

Sometimes the key leads oxidize and swell, even on Steinways. Mind you, the originals hadn’t swelled as much as those added after new hammers were put on. Still, they had all swelled a bit – and some enough to rub … Continue reading →