NOTE: During the past three centuries, literally thousands of Piano Brand names have come and gone. Some names still survive, either as original builders or as an adopted name for a line of pianos from a “new” builder. In the following list, I have tried to include the dates of the builders. In some cases, such as “Boston”, the builders have not stated the date of formation, possibly to obfuscate the fact that the piano is relatively new. Please note that the dates supplied below may refer to either the current manufacturer or the original manufacturers depending on which list the name is included.

 

When searching for information on a specific piano, try to ascertain it’s age. This can be obtained in most cases by finding the serial

number (stamped or painted near the top of the Piano’s Plate) and the make, and then e-mail with this information.

Current Piano Builders

During the “Golden age” of the Piano (1880-1929),  Many builders made three lines of pianos: Their “A” line, Ex. “Mason & Risch”, their “B” line ex. “Henry Herbert”, and a “C” line, which could have any name on it a retailer could request (as long as the name wasn’t already trademarked). This tradition remains to this day. There are many, many new piano brands which do not relate to an existing manufacturer. Having said this, it is probable that many current builders are not included in this list.

Baldwin (1890 – ) Bought by Gibson Guitar Company in 2004

Bechstein (1853 – ) – Exceptionally fine Pianos from Berlin, Germany

Bluthner (1853 – ) Also exceptionally fine Pianos from Leipzig, Germany. (1853 was a good year!)

Bosendorfer (1828 – ) A big name with some BIG pianos! Unique Rim Construction!

Boston - (? – ) A Division of Steinway & Sons Steinway Designed, Built by Kawai.

Broadwood (1774 – ) By appointment to her majesty the Queen – the makers of Beethoven’s favorite piano. (It was the only one that didn’t collapse under his fingers!)

Chickering & Sons (1823 – ) Sold to Aeolian in the 1930′s, the sold to Wurlitzer in the 1990′s, built by Samick for a while. Now owned by Baldwin.

Dongbei (? – ) Chinese Manufacturer of many brands, recently purchased by Gibson (Who also own Baldwin).

Fazioli – (1978 – ) Paulo Fazioli set out to make the finest piano in the world. Now just over 25 years later, many say he succeeded.

Feurich (1851 – ) One ofthe first European makers of the upright piano.

Guangzhou / Pearl River (1956 – ) Chinese Manufacturer of many brands including Yamaha.

Hazelton Bros. – (2003- ) Made by Samick (SMC)

Heintzman  – (1989 – ) Not the Canadian Original, but the Chinese up-and-comer.

Ibach (1794 – ) For over 200 years, fine German Pianos. (They also made Pipe Organs until 1906.)

Kawai (1927 – ) The “other” Japanese Piano.

Kemble (1930 – ) The best selling British Piano in the world.

Knabe (2003 – ) Now made by Samick (SMC), Knabe was a very old and respected name in American Pianos.

Kohler & Campbell (2003 – ) Now made by Samick (SMC).

Mason & Hamelin (1996 – ) Now owned by Pianodisc, one of the finest pianos currently made in North America.

Petrof (1864 – ) Czech it out!

Samick (2003 – ) Now operating under the name SMC Music, they are one of the largest Piano builders in the world, and make many lines of pianos, some under the names of former great American builders such as Kohler & Campbell, Sohmer, and Knabe.

Sauter  (1819 – )

Schimmel (1885 – ) Truly one of the most advanced Pianos in the world.

Seiler (1849 – ) Is there such a thing as a perfect piano? Seiler says they are trying to find out, at least.

Sohmer (2003 – ) Now made by Samick (SMC), Sohmer was a very old and respected name in American Pianos.

Steingraeber & Sohne (1852 – ) They say that theirs is possibly the most unusual piano factory in the world, and their Pianos are remarkable!

Steinway (1853 – ) In their words: “The Instrument of the Immortals” and “The Standard Piano of the World”
Yamaha (1887 – ) My father was one of the first Canadian Dealers of Yamaha Pianos. He had to convince those early customers that the Japanese knew what they were doing. Imagine that now!