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Pianos
All about pianos. How to buy a new or used piano. The differences between acoustic and digital pianos. The difference in piano models.


What kinds of woods are used in piano making
Lets look into the types of wood used in piano making.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 123 min read


8 Reasons to Consider a Pre-owned Japanese Piano: Grand Performance, Fraction of the Price
Buying a pre-owned piano from reputable Japanese manufacturers like Yamaha or Kawai allows you to own a professional-grade instrument for a fraction of the cost of a new one. These brands are world-renowned for their durability, making them ideal candidates for the secondary market.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 62 min read


The Benefits of Buying a Pre-Owned Kawai Piano -Unlocking Premium Tone for Less
Buying a pre-owned Kawai upright piano is a strategic way to acquire a professional-grade instrument with a warmer, more lyrical tone while avoiding the steep initial cost of a new model.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 63 min read


The Double Hammer Rest Rail. Mystery solved
In a piano, a double hammer rest rail is a specialized mechanism designed to improve the instrument's repetition speed and dynamic control, bridging the gap between standard upright and grand piano performance. It is often found in high-quality upright pianos.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 22 min read


Is German Hammer Felt An Important Feature
In the piano world, German Hammer Felt, specifically from legendary manufacturers like Wurzen or Abel are the "gold standard" for hammer construction, but is it a requirement for a quality piano?
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 23 min read


Is A Multi-ply Hard Wood Pinblocks on a piano important for musicians?
A multi-ply hard wood pinblock is the "anchor" of the piano. Its job is to hold the tuning pins with enough friction to resist nearly 40,000 pounds of string tension while still allowing a technician to make microscopic adjustments.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 22 min read


Have You Heard of A Vertically Laminated Maple Bridge?
Vertically Laminated Maple Bridges on a piano are important for musicians in a high-performance piano, becasue they are engineered to solve the "energy leak" problem found in traditional solid wood bridges. While a solid bridge is good, a vertically laminated one is often considered the gold standard for tonal projection and structural longevity.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 23 min read


You Can Still Get Genuine Ebony Sharps On An Affordable Piano. Let's Find Out How.
Most pianists agree that they perfer Genuine Ebony Sharps on a piano if they can afford a piano that has them. For a musician, genuine ebony sharps are about the tactile connection between the player and the instrument. Unlike plastic or "ebonized" (stained) woods, true ebony offers a unique physical profile that impacts high-level performance. Genuine Ebony Wood Sharps (We moved our blog to this platform- dates may not reflect original posting dates) Here is why they a
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 23 min read


Should I Care About the Quality of the Wool Felt on a Piano Hammer
The quality of the wool felt on a piano hammer is arguably the single most important factor in the instrument’s "voice." While the wood core provides the structure, the felt is the point of contact with the string—it is the "vocal cords" of the piano.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 23 min read


Why are Mahogany Hammer Wood Cores on a piano important for musicians
Mahogany Hammer Wood Cores on a piano are important for musicians.
In the world of high-performance pianos, mahogany hammer cores are prized for their unique balance of low weight and high strength. While many manufacturers use hard maple, others like Ritmuller and Pearl River often select mahogany for its specific acoustic properties.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 22 min read


Are Cut-Thread Tuning Pins Important?
Why are Cut-Thread Tuning Pins on a piano important for musicians
In a piano, cut-thread tuning pins are essential for maintaining the extreme string tension (up to 20 tons) required for a stable and resonant sound. Unlike "rolled" or stamped threads, cut threads are traditionally produced through high-precision lathe processing, which is critical for upright and grand pianos.
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 22 min read


Piano ribs are the unsung heroes that work in tandem with the tapered soundboard to preserve the piano's "crown"
Would you like to know how the piano ribs underneath the soundboard work in tandem with this tapering to maintain the piano's "crown" and structural longevity?
How the ribs underneath the soundboard work in tandem with this tapering to maintain the piano's "crown" and structural longevity
Naperville Music Staff
Mar 22 min read


Why is a Tapered Piano Soundboard Important for Musicians?
A tapered soundboard—where the thickness of the wood gradually decreases from the center toward the edges—is critical for creating a balanced, responsive instrument. While a uniform soundboard can be overly stiff, a tapered design (like the
Steinway & Sons Diaphragmatic Soundboard) and those found on Pearl River, Ritmuller, and other quality pianos, acts as a sensitive diaphragm that responds to the subtlest vibrations.
Naperville Music Staff
Feb 282 min read


Why Ritmuller Piano Wet Sand-Cast Plates Are Important For Musicians
Why are Rittmuller Piano Wet Sand-Cast Plates are important for musicians? In piano manufacturing, the wet sand-cast plate (also known as the frame or harp) is often considered the hallmark of high-end instruments. For musicians, the primary importance lies in how this structural component influences the piano's tonal color and vibrational stability.
Rich Karnuth
Feb 272 min read


Choosing a Used Yamaha Grand Piano Can Save You Money
Choosing a used Yamaha grand piano can save you money on the initial purchase price while offering a professional-level playing experience that might otherwise be out of budget. Yamaha's reputation for exceptional Japanese craftsmanship ensures that even decades-old instruments can remain musically satisfying and mechanically reliable, but that same craftsmanship means high new piano prices.
Rich Karnuth
Feb 273 min read


Why Choosing a Used Upright Yamaha Piano Can Save You Money and Possibly Elevate Your Music Experience
Buying a piano is a big decision, especially when you want quality without overspending. Yamaha upright pianos have a reputation for excellent craftsmanship and sound, but new models can be expensive. Choosing a used Yamaha upright piano offers a smart alternative that combines affordability with lasting value. Here are five solid reasons why if you have your heart set on a Yamaha upright piano, a used Yamaha Upright piano might be the best choice for your musical journey.
Naperville Music Staff
Feb 273 min read


Risks Of Buying A Used Piano From A Private Party
Buying a used piano from a private seller can carry some significant risks including hidden structural damage, a lack of warranty, and unforeseen additional costs for moving and professional tuning. Unlike reputable piano dealers, private sellers often sell instruments "as-is," meaning any defects discovered after the purchase are your responsibility.
Naperville Music Staff
Feb 273 min read


Why is a Ritmuller Piano Solid Wood Bass Bridge Is Important
In a piano, the solid wood bass bridge (specifically the "short" bridge) is the critical conduit between the heavy, copper-wound bass strings and the soundboard. (We moved our blog to this platform- dates may not reflect original posting dates) A Ritmuller Piano Bass Bridge For musicians, its quality and construction directly determine the power and clarity of the instrument’s lower register. Its importance stems from several key functions: Vibrational Transducer: The
Rich Karnuth
Feb 173 min read


Exploring the Yamaha Disklavier: Features and Benefits of This Innovative Piano
The Yamaha Disklavier is not just a piano; it represents a perfect union of classic craftsmanship and modern technology. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a parent exploring musical education for your children, or an adult looking to reignite your love for music, the Disklavier offers an extraordinary experience that goes far beyond mere note playing. In this article, we will explore what makes the Yamaha Disklavier exceptional, its impressive features, and the diverse benef
Russ
Sep 6, 20255 min read


A Comprehensive Comparison of Yamaha B Series U Series and P Series Pianos
When it comes to choosing a piano, Yamaha is a name that often comes to mind. Known for their quality craftsmanship and innovative technology, Yamaha offers a range of pianos that cater to different needs and preferences. In this post, we will take a closer look at three popular series: the Yamaha B series, U series, and P series.
Rich Karnuth
Sep 6, 20254 min read
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