Many of our advanced pianist  clients realise (correctly) that every instrument has its own characteristics  so they insist on  playing  and selecting  the piano that meets their dreams  before deciding to buy.  In every other retail  piano shop in the world,  only finished instruments are displayed, so the discerning client is constrained to a particular style, finish  and build detail once he has found the piano that sounds and feels right for him.  Otherwise he must have a  bespoke piano built to his style requirements, specification and detail, but must accept the unpredicted variations that inevitably occur between different pianos of otherwise  identical build specification.    These variations reflect the fact that wood is a living material  whose properties are not industrially definable,  and that any  craftsman made piano  exhibits the particular skills of each individual craftsman.

As piano builders we are in a special position to be able display part finished  pianos that are complete as far as being playable and which will sound  and feel the same as when the case style , veneering  or poly ester work has been completed. These part finished  pianos  will be displayed in bare wood without styling features such as legs, music desk, veneer wood or stain , french polish or  polyester finish.  When the client has chosen  the “part-finished” piano that  best meets his aspirations for sound and feel he can then instruct us how he would like it styled and  finished it to his personal  taste .    Polyester finish can be satin , high polish or extra high polish, of any colour or hue .  Veneers can be chosen from a huge portfoilio of over one hundred species of  wood from exotic 2000 year old Huon pine to common  oak or birch . Each can be stained to the client’s preference. 

There is no extra cost for this new sales versatilty.  The piano when finished will be priced exactly the same as if it had been completed to that style before display.  Thus if someone wants a piano finished in  a particular  common   or an exotic  and rare wood veneer this will still  cost from  8% to 18% more than the standard Phoenix finish  which is black polyester with burl walnut trimming on the fall and music desk, and white maple on the under lid and inside the upper case.  As at present,  a case in  “modern style” (rectangular leg section and plain music desk etc )  or “classical style” (octagonal section legs and fretwork desk etc ) will be the same price . 

The fretwork desk can  be designed to reflect the interests or family history of the client.   Special logos can be provided and the case decorated with  inlays or marquetry.  There is also the option to complete the piano with recording and replay facility of ultimate performance on the A 170 size.

We will introduce this new sales presentation progressively.  The first model offered in this form will be the Phoenix C 212.

It will take about 10 weeks to complete the piano once the client has made his selection