AUSTRALIAN MADE
Stuart & Sons is a specialist manufacture of custom made, hand crafted grand pianos. There are 2 models available, a studio grand 2.2m in length and a full concert grand 3.0m in length. A small number of instruments are built to order each year. Orders can be placed directly and individual requirements discussed. Stuart & Sons grand pianos are masterpieces of science, innovation, music, art, aesthetics and dedication that will last more than one generation. It takes the commitment of our craftsmen up to 2 years to build a Stuart & Sons piano.
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Existing 97 and 102 key pianosSince 1992, Stuart & Sons have been constantly increasing the ambitus or frequency range of their pianos. This has been driven by technological advances in music wire, materials technologies and compositional and performance fashion. The company ethos is: To Explore The Possibilities, in a practical sense this means to constantly strive for excellence in innovation and design. We believe that something that can easily last a century should remain relevant and be designed and realised at the forefront of its capacity not as an object of reproduction of proven form.
Stock instruments are available ranging from $150,000 to $250,000AUD |
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Concert Grand - 108 Key
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INCLUDED WITH ALL STUART PIANOS
Each piano comes with a 5 year warranty. For pianos sold in Australia an initial service plan is included in the price. Service support for pianos sold overseas can be arranged. Delivery is either for the domestic market or international. Mostly, domestic deliveries are by specialist piano carriers and the pianos are sent uncrated. For international deliveries Stuart & Sons house the valuable instruments in a steel framed crate which is air freighted to the nearest international airport in the country of destination and is then trucked to the owner’s location by local, specialist piano carriers. Stuart & Sons often follow each piano delivery to train the selected piano technician so that the instrument is appropriately maintained.
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Extended KeyboardsSince the beginning of music, composers have written beyond the imposed frequency limitations of their time. Stuart & Sons are respectful of composers whose vision extends beyond the 88 digits of the late 19th century. Stuart & Sons recognises that once a composition is written for a range greater than the so called norm it is the duty of the instrument maker to realise that range if it is at all practically possible. Therefore, given the advanced wire of Stephen Paulello, a contemporary French piano maker, it was inconceivable to limit these new generation pianos to 88 keys but rather, to aim for the ultimate goal of 9 octaves for the chromatic scale.
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Four PedalsThe notion that a piano should have x number of pedals is curious. Historically makers have incorporated numerous pedals with various functions. Simply, the two left pedals in Stuart & Sons pianos modify the dynamic and textural aspects of the sound by 1. reducing the travel distance of the key and hammer and 2. reducing the number of strings struck. These pedals can be taken independently or simultaneously. Neither of the dynamic control pedals require full depression but should be applied and operated as the ear and taste of the performer dictates.
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Stuart Bridge AgraffeVertical string coupling is at the core of the Stuart & Sons design concept. A special device (agraffe) is used to couple the strings to the bridge and soundboard structure. The agraffe defines the strings' speaking lengths (frequency) and contains the reaction forces produced by bending the strings as they pass through it. This negates the need for string down bearing that is required in the traditional pinned bridge system. The soundboard can thus be designed on a speaker cone principle and not as a load bearing structure as is the case in the standard piano. This scientifically designed device encourages the strings to vibrate in a more controlled manner improving the
dynamic range, increasing sustain and significantly improving tonal clarity sympathetic to the entire piano repertoire. |
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Composite MaterialsSince 2007 composite materials have been carefully inculcated into the overall design and building process where distinct advantages are sought. One such area is the large lid of a 108 key concert grand. The lid is reinforced with carbon and glass fibre to increase strength and reduce weight. In areas where climatic variations may change moisture content material combinations are employed to increase stability.
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Unique TimbersThe tradition of decorating harpsichords, both the case and the soundboard, died out with the advent of the piano. In particular, 20th century practice has led to most concert grand pianos being painted black, which only serves to emphasise their overall sameness of design and sound, irrespective of brand. Stuart & Sons has always chosen to enhance the uniqueness of their pianos by the use of rare and exotic timbers such as red cedar, huon pine and blackheart sassafras. This is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye but also adds significant long term investment value to these pianos over and above the staid and somewhat boring black of so many staid and boring pianos.
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StringsStuart & Sons use nickel plated music wire and stainless steel to reduce the onslaught of oxidization. Also, to accommodate the performance of music that requires access to the string plain where non coated music wire is susceptible to oxidization from perspiration.
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MAINTENANCE
Maintenance on a Stuart Piano is very similar to any other quality grand piano. However, the quality and skill of the technician is vital to maximise the piano's playing potential Technician training is offered where appropriate as well as back-up service by factory technicians. It is usual that post delivery service is provided by a factory technician: usually by Stuart himself!
Stuart & Sons require that an independent piano technician have some degree of recognised formal training and that tuning is done using the time honoured aural method. This may ensure that the technician has suitable skills to undertake the range of adjustments that must be applied to maximise the performance of any acoustic piano. The use of digital tuning aides is not recommended for Stuart & Sons pianos.
Maintenance on a Stuart Piano is very similar to any other quality grand piano. However, the quality and skill of the technician is vital to maximise the piano's playing potential Technician training is offered where appropriate as well as back-up service by factory technicians. It is usual that post delivery service is provided by a factory technician: usually by Stuart himself!
Stuart & Sons require that an independent piano technician have some degree of recognised formal training and that tuning is done using the time honoured aural method. This may ensure that the technician has suitable skills to undertake the range of adjustments that must be applied to maximise the performance of any acoustic piano. The use of digital tuning aides is not recommended for Stuart & Sons pianos.