In contrast to many restorers and piano sellers, JD is not dazzled by big names, detests Bösendorfers and is indifferent to most Steinways and Bechsteins built after 1905. Most of the grands and uprights we work on are built between 1865 and 1910 before the World War destroyed both the traditions and the workmen that carried them. The pianos he likes to work with most are Kirkman, Brinsmead and Lipp but there are many other fine pianos that are consistently better made, more interesting and more durable than the fashionable makes.