To better understand the ongoing care and maintenance of early keyboard instruments, I had the opportunity to spend more time with one of the worlds most respected makers of early pianos in his factory, to assist and observe how instruments are built. Perth already has several of Paul’s instruments with more coming. These include copies of 3 Walters, Stein and soon a Graff
A trio of Walters ready for selection at Paul McNulty’s
Paul preparing a Playel copy
Rarely seen outside a Atelier or factory: soundboard has been removed with a new replacement soundboard and bridges
Careful measures, observation, comparison are made of original parts, this combined with decades of experience and cultural understanding ensures as faithful as can be copy can be produced
Tradition materials and equipment where possible to replicate similar methods originally used such as this go bar bench to glue down the replacement pin block