The Art of Tailpiece Piano Making F. KAIM & SOHN

Artisanal excellence at the service of music in its most majestic form

At F. KAIM & SOHN, building a grand piano is a discipline of excellence, requiring goldsmith's precision and a deep respect for European musical tradition. For over two centuries, every grand piano that leaves our workshops has embodied the perfect union of acoustic science, craftsmanship and passion for sound. Discover, step by step, what makes our grand pianos unique and why they are chosen by renowned musicians and demanding institutions.

The Keyboard: the interface between the musician's soul and that of the instrument

Selection of noble materials

Every F. KAIM & SOHN grand piano keyboard is made from carefully selected straight-grained spruce. This wood, prized for its acoustic properties and stability, is naturally dried for many months, even years, to guarantee perfect dimensional stability.

Nuanced touch and perfect consistency

Each key is individually adjusted to guarantee linear depression, smooth return and unrivalled precision. Pianists will find a touch that instantly translates their musical intentions, from the most intimate pianissimo to the most striking fortissimo.

Action: the subtle mechanism that links gesture to note

Traditional construction and proven durability

The action, made entirely of high-quality natural wood, is assembled with millimetric precision. Every axis, lever and spring is optimized to guarantee inertia-free response and exceptional longevity.

Endurance and reliability

Our tests reveal an average action life of up to 600,000 continuous strikes, well beyond industry standards. This makes for intensive use, including in conservatories and concert halls.

Stabilized by hygrometric treatment

Our special treatment of sensitive parts ensures constant mechanical stability, even in very wet or very dry environments, guaranteeing unaltered precision season after season.

Les Marteaux: stamp sculptors

Custom design

Our hammers are made from selected walnut or hornbeam, covered with 100% wool felt compressed in Germany, then shaped according to a precise density curve to achieve optimum response across the tonal spectrum.

Sound control

Each hammer series is tested for consistency, resilience and the ability to produce a warm, rich, nuanced sound, typical of the great names in European craftsmanship.

Strings: tension, length, power

Roslau strings: the banner of resonance

High and medium strings are sourced from Roslau (Germany), renowned for the purity of its steel. Bass strings are made of high-density copper, wound on site according to an acoustic plan specific to each model.

Acoustic planning down to the note

The string plan (lengths, angles, crossing points) is calculated individually for each grand piano, to obtain perfectly balanced harmonic tension and optimum projection.

The Armature: internal structure and power balance

Multi-layer compressed maple dowel block

The peg block is made of 19 plies of hard maple, compressed under pressure to guarantee long-lasting tuning, even after major variations in tension or repeated transport.

High-precision cast-iron plate

The manganese cast-iron frame is cast using the traditional gravitational method, with weight adjusted by the centimetre to maintain load distribution without deformation.

Acoustic bridges

The transmission bridges are made of solid A+ maple, tuned to transmit vibrations with the utmost fidelity to the soundboard.

Soundboard: resonance, warmth and projection

High-altitude resonant spruce

The top is made from spruce harvested from the high forests of Europe, where slow growth favors a fine, tight grain. This wood is renowned for its exceptional ability to vibrate.

Optimized architecture

The shape, thickness, curvature and bracing of the top are designed to maximize sound projection, warmth of timbre and sustain.

Aesthetics and finishes: the piano as a work of art

Eco-friendly lacquers and varnishes

Our grand pianos are finished with high-gloss or satin lacquers, available in black, white, mahogany, or customizable on request. Each finish is applied in several coats, then hand-polished.

Finishing details

Chrome-plated hardware, solid brass castors, reinforced hinges and soft-closing systems complete the package. Everything is designed to combine beauty and durability.

Conclusion: The F. KAIM & SOHN grand piano, a concert instrument with character

When you choose an F. KAIM & SOHN grand piano, you're investing in much more than just an instrument: you're buying a playing partner, a vector of emotion, a legacy of musical craftsmanship.

Whether for stage, teaching or home, each grand piano from our factory is designed to last for decades, while expressing the nobility of the European piano tradition.

Explore the F. KAIM & SOHN collection and find the grand piano that will bring your music to life.

See our upright pianos