Kayserburg Artists series overview
What does it take to make a world-class piano?
To design a piano, like producing a fine wine, takes a master craftsman with years of experience who can virtually hear every note as he draws the scale and makes fine adjustments to measurements of the soundboard, bridges, and plate.
Tradition meets passion
Traditional methods should not be exempt from analysis and questioning, however maintaining a healthy respect for time-proven processes is critical in finding balance. There is a reason that the fundamental principles of piano design haven’t changed in a hundred years - the physics of acoustics have not changed.
Therefore, any modern changes to design or materials must be proven over decades and countless thousands of pianos before they can truly be said to be superior to traditional processes.
The Kayserburg Artists Series pianos are unique because of their access to world-leading research and development labs. This investment in research is synthesised with their learnings and experience from more than 60-years of history. It is further supported by the extensive resources that they can draw on as a part of the world’s largest piano brand.
These factors alone create almost an unfair advantage over other manufacturers. This advantageous position is then guided by renowned European piano engineers in a relentless pursuit of the purest form of musical expression possible.
The result is a line of pianos created, without compromise, for Artists.
“Both personally and professionally, I have found the Kayserburg Artists Series pianos to be a magnificent partner in making music”
Ragnar Bohlin - Grammy Award Winner - SF Conservatory of Music
Both personally and professionally, I have found the Kayserburg Artist Series pianos to be a magnificent partner in making music.
Having selected the Kayserburg Artist Series professional upright for my San Francisco residence, and even though I work daily with grand pianos at the San Francisco Symphony, I find the tone and performance capability of this professional upright piano to be astounding and I am happy to ‘sing’ its praises.
Laoureux Damper Felt
Déville les Rouen, France since 1923
Exceptional piano felts dampen the sound quickly and evenly. Across the piano, despite an enormous range of frequencies and vibration energy, all strings are expected to be dampened at precisely the same time. This is often a process taken for granted by pianists yet differences in damper felt quality and design can completely change the perception and enjoyment of a piano for both artists and audiences.
Great dampers are made from the softest felt because soft felt has a better form-memory. However, this consistency and accuracy is more difficult to achieve with a softer felt product.
The difference comes down to a few microns (0.001 mm), yet using high quality fibres and a hand-made process is the only way to ensure that the correct density is achieved and that it remains constant throughout the drying, pressing, and finishing processes.
Laoureux has proven their mastery of felt manufacturing for pianos for almost a full century and this is why they are the only choice for Kayserburg Artists Series pianos.
Premium Renner Hammers
Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1882.
Today its headquarters and main factory are located in Gärtringen, Germany, near Stuttgart, with an additional factory in Meuselwitz near Leipzig.
Louis Renner & Company produces the hammerheads for the world’s finest piano makers, as they have done for over 130 years, and have grown to become the largest, independent, producer of hammerheads in the world.
These superior hammerheads are produced utilising the most advanced technology and state-of-the-art machinery in the industry, combined with the finest German hand-craftsmanship.
A piano’s hammers are the link between the mechanical components and the strings. Years of experience is required to produce hammers that sound clear, voluminous and precise and provide piano technicians with the opportunity to fine-tune the tone according to an Artist’s wishes.
Respected throughout the piano industry based on their consistency and quality for more than a century;
Renner hammers are responsible for developing the nuances of modern piano sound and are found in the finest pianos in the world.
The importance of backposts
Often an overlooked component of piano design, yet a fundamental element of every piano’s integrity and tone.
The traditional German philosophy of piano design dictates that a piano’s frame and foundation must be described as powerful and robust.
The strength and weight of a piano is important for two key reasons:
The frame of a piano must support a combined string tension of up to 20,000kgs. Quality back-posts not only contribute to increased tuning stability in professional environments, but also contribute to the piano’s lifespan and multi-generational value.
Power in the fundamental structure ensures that acoustic energy is not lost. Energy is passed from the pianist, through the key, into the action, from the hammer before finally ‘speaking’ in the vibration of the strings. From the strings it is passed through the bridges to the optimum speaking points of the spruce soundboard, it then travels outwards towards the edges and it is at this point in the process that the backposts and frame can shine.
A rigid piano frame guarantees that vibrational energy is not lost to the frame but instead remains in the speaking parts of the piano.
This allows for not only more clarity of the tone but also longer sustain and a sweet, singing sound.
The Tortoise and the Hare
The piano’s cast-iron plate - the ‘Harp’
Every single part of a piano should be considered as an acoustic component. A piano is a complex instrument and compromises at any point will always be reflected in the final voice of the instrument.
Kayserburg cast iron plates are made in the traditional wet-sand cast method. This means they take significantly longer to make compared to modern vacuum shield-molds as they require more sanding and finishing work.
All the top European-made pianos use traditional wet-sand cast methods for the ultimate stability and longevity.
when it comes to producing the ultimate piano,
there are absolutely no prizes for finishing first!
“Just As Each Fingerprint Bears The Mark Of Its Owner,
Each Kayserburg Piano Showcases The Character Of Its Craftsman.”
Röslau Piano Wire
Stahl- und Drahtwerk Röslau GmbH, since 1882
Although the hammers, bridges, soundboards and other elements contribute to passing energy and help the strings to sing, it is the strings that are the first contact point of the piano’s action, they are the first acoustic part to speak. More than 200 strings combine to create the soul of a piano and whether they choose to whisper or sing, the tone and voice of the strings is at the heart of every piano.
By working together with Röslau, Kayserburg Artists pianos continue their commitment to quality and offer pianos that will sing with immense range for generations to come.
The signature Röslau sound is embedded within the soul of every Kayserburg Artists Series piano.
Piano keys - unlocking perfect articulation
Straight-grained Spruce keys
solid ebony sharps
German Ivolan mineral key-tops
Each piano key travels less than 10mm - yet in those 10mm are entire landscapes of sound. Whether or not a pianist feels comfortable and in control of the keyboard will influence how clearly they are able to express themselves through it.
Individually weighted and meticulously balanced keys is where a pianist’s journey begins and therefore the utmost attention has gone into ensuring the keyboard offers the maximum amount of control and balance. Too light and dynamics and speed become insecure, too heavy and it becomes a battle with the piano - working against the instrument instead of with it.
Good piano keys will always be noticed, but the goal of perfect piano keys is not to be noticed at all. Artists series piano keyboards should feel like an extension of the pianist’s hands. This is what Kayserburg have strived for and in this case, tradition and extensive research have led them to the combination of the finest Ebony and spruce woods along with Ivolan mineral key tops for the perfect playing experience.
Offering incredible control of expression and articulation for even the most discerning Artists
The Kayserburg Artists Series upright piano line-up
KA-1 | for studios
121cm upright piano
Perfect for smaller homes or studios, 121cm uprights is a classic upright piano size - enough to offer a clean and balanced tone without overpowering smaller rooms.
KA-3 | for students
126cm upright piano
Perfect for students from beginner to grade-8, the additional string-length makes this suitable for institutional practice rooms and teaching environments
KA-6 | For professionals
132cm upright piano
Full-size professional upright piano. There is no compromise made here with range-of-expression, power, or clarity. An excellent piano for diploma level or graduate level practice and performance where space or budget does not accomodate a large grand piano.
Try an Artists Series piano today
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