Origins
As an engineer I've always enjoyed solving my own technical challenges. With limited desk space for my MIDI keyboard but a love for the weighted-key piano feel and playability, like many of you I searched for a keyboard solution that didn't exist. So I bought a used MIDI keyboard from Craigslist, studied its mechanical design and electronic circuitry, and rebuilt it to my own specifications (in this case, 53 keys).
Business Evolution
Knowing that others had searched for a similar solution, I shared my accomplishments on a Reddit thread or two. I started getting messages from others and I commissioned a few builds on a couple different keyboard makes/models (M-Audio Hammer 88 and Casio Privia PX-S6000). In the process I learned that I love helping others get the instrument of their dreams even more than I enjoyed building one for myself. Special thanks to my first customers who put their trust in me to deliver on these pioneering efforts!
Present and Future Plans
Gracenote Keyboards is a further extension of this passion project. Beginning with the Gracenote Hammer series, I aim to deliver the same quality MIDI keyboard modifications to a larger number of musicians.
In addition, I hope that you all share more about the MIDI keyboards of your dreams so I can expand my product offerings, either as standard offerings or as custom one-off commissioned builds.