Secrets from the Workshop: What 19th-Century Piano Builders Can Teach Us Today

When we look inside a 150-year-old grand piano, we’re not just seeing strings, wood, and cast iron. We’re stepping into the mind of a 19th-century craftsman—a person who built instruments without CNC machines, yet managed to achieve an astonishing level of precision and musicality.

One of the most fascinating insights from historical German manuals on piano construction is the importance of resonance shaping. Piano makers didn’t merely build a box for the strings—they tuned the structure itself. The soundboard, bridges, and even the ribs were shaped and positioned to create natural resonant frequencies that enhanced tone, projection, and sustain.

Today, we rely on technology to simulate these acoustic properties. But those early builders developed their methods through a mix of mathematics, intuition, and careful listening. For example, some manuals recommend slightly curving the bridge at a calculated tension angle, to balance the downward pressure of the strings and maximize harmonic response.

Another forgotten art is manual string scaling—the precise adjustment of string lengths and diameters to ensure balanced tone across the keyboard. Unlike modern instruments that use standardized formulas, early piano makers would often adjust string tension by ear, using a process that bordered on alchemy.

What can today’s builders and restorers learn from this?

• Respect the acoustic intelligence of traditional designs.

• Treat every piano as an individual—each one has its own voice.

• Don’t underestimate the power of wood selection and natural materials.

At Alexander Piano Services, we believe that blending historic craftsmanship with modern precision is the key to true piano restoration. Every instrument tells a story—and we’re here to help it sing again.