Little Orchestra moved their shop January 2024
Steinway keytops come in blank form and are handcrafted to each individual key.
Completed Steinway keytops
1913 Weber Grand Rebuild 2024
After case repair
Before case repair
1913 Weber Grand before rebuilding
A 3-tiered pinblock replication for the 1913 Weber grand. 2023
1913 Weber
This 1920’s Steinway originally had ivory keytops. Sometime in the 60’s, they were replaced with plastic. I replaced the plastic with a salvaged set of ivories from another piano. 2024
Repaired and tuned Fender Rhodes, 2023
A shot of my tool wall with piano panels above.
Detaching a Steinway pinblock for replacement.
1905 Gabler Bros. rebuild completed in 2023
A 1891 Grotrian-Steinweg before rebuilding 2022
Apprentices in the shop 2022
Britney recording for their pop punk band. Britney has also recorded key tracks for various other projects this year.
Mid rebuilding
“I’ve been tinkling away all evening. Britney, I love the sensitivity and responsiveness of the touch. Opening the lid and seeing everything so shiny and new is thrilling. I’m blown away at how the piano sings- warm and full of love! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” - Jane Cooper, owner of the 1891 Grotrian-Steinweg rebuild 2022
“Britney is a pro who knows her craft and is an amazing piano player to boot. She took great care with our old Baldwin and got It sounding great. Fair pricing as well! She will be our go to tuner from now on!” - Loren, 2020
Cleaning up the cast iron plate for a Steinway M before it’s put back in the piano.
A 1922 Steinway & Sons model M rebuild completed in 2023.
1891 Grotrian-Steinweg after rebuilding
Making earrings out of old reclaimed ivory piano key tops.
A close up of the treble section on the 1964 Baldwin before rebuilding.
A close up of the treble section on the 1964 Baldwin after rebuilding.
A client generously donated a 1964 Baldwin R/ST in dire need of some TLC in 2021.
Still inside ADX, Little Orchestra’s shop moved to the other side of the building and what an upgrade it’s been!
The Little Orchestra shop is currently located in the Artist Design Xchange (ADX) building in SE Portland
A 1964 Baldwin R/ST after rebuilding in 2022
“I have an old Emerson piano that I was curious about getting restored. Britney tuned it up and noticed some issues with the underlying structure / wood that couldn't be repaired. She was honest and super compassionate. The piano has meant a lot to my family and I but unfortunately is on its last leg. My other piano was also tuned up and is doing well so we have a successor! I'm thankful for Britney's honesty, technical ability, affordability, and professionalism. Highly highly recommend for piano tuning, repairs, restoration.” - Grant, 2022
The action of the Gulbranson before rebuilding.
The action of the Gulbranson after rebuilding.
A close up of the treble section of the Gulbranson grand before rebuilding.
A close up of the treble section of the Gulbranson grand after rebuilding.
This poor Gulbranson was in a sorry state after a rat started living in it. 2021
What a transformation! Gulbranson rebuild completed in 2021.
Pinblock replacement for a Gulbransen Grand
This 1940’s art deco Everett grand was donated to Little Orchestra, rebuilt, and now lives in it’s new home in Walla Walla, WA. 2021
That’s a lot of ivories to reglue, bud!
Shop dog, Mouse, helping with a Steinway 1098 hammer replacement. Good boy!
A Fischer grand rebuild completed in 2020. New pinblock, soundboard repair and decal, new strings, dampers, felts, minor repairs and a full regulation. Refinish done by Spot Finish Repair.
This front panel was saved from a piano that could not be fixed. It’s in the process of becoming a new piece of art.
Keytop replacement
This beautiful 1940’s art deco Everett grand was rebuilt in our shop in SE PDX 2021
New vs Old hammers. This Chickering grand sounds louder, warmer and more resonant with it’s new hammers!
This Lindemann & Sons got almost all of their ivories replaced or repaired, new felts, dampers, hammers and a full regulation this summer (2020).
This refinished front panel was saved from a piano that could not be fixed. It is now ready to mount on the wall as a beautiful piece of art!
Fischer grand rebuild complete.
For updated photos of tuning, shop work, tutorials, music and a cute shop dog, follow us on Instagram: LittleOrchestraPDX
Replaced a couple strings and fixed a couple pluckers on this Harpischord
Sometimes I get to work on unusual pianos, like this Chickering Square Grand
A Chickering grand action in the middle of getting the hammers replaced.
2020
Bright new hammers bring a brilliance to this Lindemann & Sons grand that left our shop this summer, 2020.
Piano art!
Fischer grand rebuild before.
This Wurlitzer console needed a brand new bottom board to hold the pedals and trapwork.
Baldwin Hamilton 1948 rebuild completed in 2019. New strings, hammers, felts, minor repairs, and a full regulation. Refinish done by Spot Finish Repair.
Inside the Baldwin Hamilton rebuild with new felts and strings.
Tuning for music studio, Resound NW
Portland, OR 2018
Cat Eye performing in Lebanon, OR 2018
FleaPaw taking a puppy break at band practice
Portland, OR 2018
Tuning for PDX Jazz
Portland, OR 2017
Steve Davis, talented piano technician for the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and many establishments around Portland, instructing on piano voicing techniques
Portland, OR 2018
Artist Aish contracted Little Orchestra musicians for his PNW tour.
Seattle, WA and Portland, OR 2018
https://www.aish.space/
Tuning for Marmoset Music
Portland, OR 2017
Michael Johnson from the band Parks and Recreation and his partner got married and asked Little Orchestra to be part of their big day.
Portland, OR 2016
http://www.hushrecords.com/artists/parks-recreation/
Restringing a piano at Michelle’s Pianos
Portland, OR 2018
The Lonely Forest with cello arrangement by Britney Kaplan for BandCamp's Hangover Concerts in the Park
San Francisco, CA 2014
http://www.thelonelyforest.com/
Artist Chiara Angelicola (aka Bird Call) performs alongside Magik Magik Trio from the Magik Magik Orchestra at Viracocha. Arrangement by Britney Kaplan
San Francisco, CA 2014 at Viracocha
www.chiara-angelicola.com
Britney collaborated with Classic Pianos to showcase the sound quality of their pianos using her original compositions.
Porltand, OR 2017
A client request of a Death Cab transcription compilation for string trio for their marriage purposal.
San Francisco, 2014