In this episode, we take a seat inside the August Föerster piano factory in Lobau, Germany to talk with Gabriel Wandt (Director of Marketing and Communications), and master piano builder Anne Marie Kampf to discuss the challenges of redesigning their new 275 concert grand using 2D modeling; their knack for creating innovative and adorable piano designs; their narrower Stretto keysets for smaller hands; and the strenuous process of becoming certified as a master piano builder in Germany.

-Stretto keysets

-The Model 275 Sovereign Concert Grand

-August Förster Instagram, Facebook, and website

-Photos of the factory and the company's experiments

In this episode, we sit down with former Hamburg Steinway technician and soundboard extraordinaire Oliver Greinus. Oliver is one of the co-founders of Klangmanufaktur, a workshop that specializes in rebuilding Steinways as well as providing rehearsal space and practice rooms for Hamburg's musical community. Following our tour of the workshop, Oliver sat down with me to talk about their reasoning for leaving Steinway in order to create their own uniquely rebuilt instruments; why old soundboards should never be replaced; doing away with polyester in favor of natural oil finishes; replacing lead weights with CKM brass; their rental program for connecting musicians and institutions with quality pianos; and the curriculum for their singular week-long training seminar.

-Klangmanufaktur website and Instagram page

-Registration for the June 22-28 training seminar, as well as the course information sheet. For questions or assistance, you can send an email to [email protected].

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In this episode, we sit down with Ravenscroft mastermind, Renner Academy instructor, manufacturing guru, and piano design innovator Michael Spreeman to talk about the process of designing a piano from scratch; conducting experiments in sound; creating a luxury-piano brand; and the details of piano construction which average technicians will constantly overlook.

-Ravenscroft Pianos

-The Ravenscroft Pianos Concert Hall

-⁠Nick Gravange legacy page and obituary⁠ (where you may also pay to plant a tree or send flowers in his honor)

-"Setting Up Shop: Commercial Edition" article featuring Michael Spreeman

-Ravenscroft 275 Virtual Instrument

-Ravenscroft 220 Virtual Instrument

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In this episode, we sit down with piano technician and rebuilder Tim Balke, who is one of the co-founding masterminds behind FB Flexure: a Utah-based company that has just revealed a potentially game-changing new action part design which could revolutionize manufacturing in the years to come. In addition to discussing the invention, we talk about the evolution of the piano; innovations that succeeded and failed throughout history; compliant mechanisms; the engineering and chemistry behind material science; and what piano manufacturers will need to do in order to carry on.

-"Manufacturing Innovation: A Historical Overview" article

-“Manufacturing Refinement: A Historical Overview” — Part 2 in Tim’s article series

-“Why Machines That Bend Are Better” video on compliant mechanisms

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In this episode, we sit down with Piano Buyer CEO Hannah Beckett to share a "State of the Union" address about the current predicaments of the industry; the obstacles keeping clients from upgrading to better pianos; how to confidently guide clients through the upgrading process; and how we can all come together to protect the industry in an uncertain future.

-Piano Buyer App on the App Store

-Piano Buyer App on the Google Store

-"The Value of Condemning Pianos" article

-"The Art of Condemning Pianos" article

-Free "Model and Price Supplement" PDF and printed book for sale

-Write to us for our Letters to the Editor segment!

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In this episode, we sit down with ProPTN contributor, rebuilder, technician, and dealership owner Morgan Cowell of Great Plains Piano to discuss his biggest failures in rebuilding; the duty of the technician to facilitate client upgrades; handling bad pianos in isolated areas; building trust with clients; and how pianos are only as good as the technicians who maintain them.

-“Setting Up Shop: Commercial Edition” article

-Original ProPTN tools for sale

-Letters to the Editor submission page

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In this episode, we sit down with keyboard conservator and bellywork specialist Ken Eschete of Bentside Arts to discuss his uniquely pioneered method of applying Acryloid B-72 to pinblocks and hammer felts; his online courses for bridge capping, soundboard replacement, pinblocks, and conservation; and his experiences learning from concert artists as well as factory training.

-Ken's how-to article on voicing with B-72

-Scientific article with photos of the B-72 consolidation ("Consolidant Distribution in Deteriorated Wood Treated with Soluble Resins by Schniewind & Eastman" )

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In this episode, we sit down with Chicago-based piano technician, YouTuber, and electric keyboard extraordinaire Emma Kleidon to discuss everything from DIY repair; the differences between piano and electric keyboard regulation; the history of these instruments; dos and don'ts of restorations; and how these instruments are functioning today.

-EmmaRepair YouTube channel

-EmmaRepairs Instagram page

-"Custom Fender Rhodes Rebuild" video

-"What Happened to the First Electric Keyboard?" video at the National Music Museum

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In this episode, we sit down with Sandra Dębska: founder and developer of the Piano Guard climate control system and owner of the Piano Renovation rebuilding shop in Poland. We discuss everything from earning the trust of workshop technicians; the rigorous testing involved in developing Piano Guard; running businesses while parenting; dealing with difficult clients; and keeping track of the shop's numerous rebuilding projects.

-The full Piano Guard system for sale on The Collection

-The "Humidity Observer" partial Piano Guard system for sale on The Collection

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In this episode, we sit down with Sam Bennett of Piano Works -- a dealership, recital hall, and rebuilding shop based out of Duluth, Georgia -- to discuss selecting the right brands to carry in your store; sales strategies; familiarizing yourself with your tools; building relationships within the industry; and tips for replacing pinblocks.

Here are the resources discussed throughout the episode:

-The Piano Works website, Youtube channel, and Facebook page

-Hidrau benches for sale

-"What if Rach had a Bösendorfer Imperial?" Youtube video

If you don't already, be sure to follow ProPTN on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... or visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!