List of piano manufacturers

This is a partial list of piano manufacturers. Most piano professionals have access to detailed information about these brands using a Piano Atlas to reference serial numbers, which are used to determine a piano's age using the year a piano was built. This information is often used in piano appraisals.

Active brands or companies
  • 40 companies are still active; 9 of them were acquired by other companies but still use the same name; and 10 have their own line of artists.
  • It's important to stand out that 1 of them exists since the 18th century; 20 since the 19th; 17 from the 20th; and 2 from the 21st.


Company Place Years active Acquired by Notes
Atlas [1] Hamamatsu, Japan 1943-present
Apollo[2] Hamamatsu, Japan 1948-present incorporated "SSS system" in their upright piano.
August Förster[3] Löbau, Germany 1859–present
Baldwin[4] Cincinnati, OH, US 1857–present Gibson Guitar Corporation Acquired in 2001. Upright models are being built in Baldwin factory in Zhongshan, China. Grand pianos are being built to Baldwin specifications by Parsons Music Group, Hong Kong.[5]
Bechstein[6] Berlin, Germany 1853–present Also manufactures W. Hoffmann and Zimmerman brands.[5]
Becker Moscow, Russia 1841–present Nationalized in 1918 and renamed into the 'Red October' brand. Production stopped during Perestroika and relaunched later on under the Becker name.[7]
Beiijing HsingHai[8] Beijing, China 1949–present Also manufactures the Hardman brand.[8]
Blüthner[9] Leipzig, Germany 1853–present Also manufactures Haessler and Irmler brands.[9] In addition, it has his own line of artists[10]
Borgato[11] Venice, Italy 1991–present Handcrafted concert grand pianos,
Bösendorfer[12] Vienna, Austria 1828–present Yamaha Acquired in 2007.[12]It also has his own line of artists[13]
Cavendish[14] Bolton Abbey, UK 2012–present
Edelweiss[15] Cambridge, UK 1975–present All upright and grand piano come by default as player pianos.[15]
Estonia[16] Tallinn, Estonia 1950–present
Fazioli[17] Sacile, Italy 1978–present It has his own line of artists[18]
Ferd. Thürmer[19] Bochum, Germany 1834–present
Feurich[20] Leipzig, Germany 1851–present Acquired in 2011.[5] The bulk of manufacturing is carried out in Hailun Piano Company factory in Ningbo, China except the upright piano 123 – Vienna made in Vienna, Austria.[21][20] In 2011, after the acquisition of the German piano manufacturing company Feurich, all Wendl & Lung piano models were renamed Feurich.[22]

In 2021 Feurich - Wendl&Lung GmbH was renamed Feurich Pianoforte GmbH.[23] It also has own line of pianists[24]

Gebr. Schulz[25] Wiesbaden, Germany 1888-present
Grotrian-Steinweg[26] Braunschweig, Germany 1835–present Parsons Music Group Acquired in 2015. A majority interest in Grotrian-Steinweg was purchased by Parsons Music Group.[5][21]Also manufactures the Wilhelm Grotrian brand.[5]Besides, possesses his own line of pianists[27]
Hailun[28] Ningbo, China 2002–present Also manufactures ''Cline'', ''Cunningham'' and ''Emerson'' brands and manufactures pianos for other piano companies.
John Broadwood & Sons[29] London, UK 1728–present Antique upright and grand pianos.[29]
Kawai[30] Hamamatsu, Japan 1927–present Also manufactures Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.[30]Own line of artists.[31]
Maene[32] Ruiselede, Belgium 1938–present
Mason & Hamlin[33] Boston, US 1854–present Burgett, Inc. Has changed hands and factories many times in its history. See main article. Own line of artists[34]
Parsons[35] Hong Kong, China 1986–present Also manufactures Yangtze River, Schönbrunn, Barrate & Robinson, and Brodmann brands.[35][5]
Pearl River[36] Guangzhou, China 1956–present Also manufactures Fandrich, Kayserburg and Ritmüller brands.[5]
Petrof[37] Hradec Králové, Czech Republic 1864–present Also manufactures Ant. Petrof, Ant. Dalibor, Weinbach, Rösler, Scholze, Fibich and Akord brands.[37]
Pfeiffer[38] Stuttgart, Germany 1862–present
Rönisch[39] Dresden, Germany 1897–present Blüthner Acquired in 2009.[5]
Samick[40] Incheon, South Korea 1958–present Also manufactures Kohler & Campbell, Pramberger and Wm. Knabe brands.[40][5]
Sauter[41] Spaichingen, Germany 1819–present
Schimmel[42] Braunschweig, Germany 1885–present Pearl River Piano Group Acquired in 2016. Also manufactures Wilhelm Schimmel and Fridolin Schimmel brands.[5]
Seiler[43] Kitzingen, Germany 1849–present Samick Acquired in 2008. Also manufactures Eduard Seiler and Johannes Seiler brands. [5]
Steingraeber & Söhne[44] Bayreuth, Germany 1852–present Owns his line of artists[[45]
Steinway & Sons[46] New York, US and Hamburg, Germany 1853–present Also manufactures the Boston and Essex brands.[46][47]
Stuart and Sons[48] Newcastle, Australia 1990–present
Walter[49] Elkhart, US 1969–present Manufactures Charles R. Walter brand.[5][49]
Wilh. Steinberg[50] Eisenberg, Germany 1877–present Parsons Music Group Acquired in 2013.[5][21]Own line of artists[51]
Yamaha[52] Hamamatsu, Japan 1900–present Piano production started at 1900. Has its line of artists.[53]
Young Chang[54] Seoul, South Korea 1956–present Hyundai Development Company Acquired in 2006.[5] Also Manufactures Weber and Albert Weber brands.[5][54]
Zanta[55] Venice, Italy 1979–present

Defunct brands or companies


Company Place Years active Acquired by Notes

A. B. Chase Ohio, US 1875–1985 Aeolian Company
A. M. McPhail[56] Boston, US 1837–1960
A. Mittag Berlin, Germany 1800
Adam Schaaf Chicago, US 1873–1930 Also sold as Clarion and Orpheus
Aeolian Company New York City, US 1868–1985 Merged with Ampico in 1932. Ampico rebranded as Aeolian in 1941.
Albert Fahr Zeitz, Germany 1887–1950
Albert W. Ladd Boston, US 1848–1930
Alexander Herrmann KG Sangerhausen, Germany 1803–1993
Alfred Knight, Ltd. London, UK 1936–2003
Allen Brook London, UK
Alpheus Babcock Boston, US 1810–1829
American Piano Company East Rochester, NY, US 1908–1941 Aeolian Company aka. Ampico
Astin Weight Salt Lake City, US 1959–1999

Baumgardt Piano Stockholm, Sweden 1859
Baus Piano Company New York City, US 1895–1929 Jacob Doll Piano Company Factories located at Southern Blvd. and Trinity Ave. They built a full line of upright pianos, player pianos, and grand pianos. It was acquired circa 1910; went out of business in the Great Depression
Beale Piano Sydney, Australia 1893–1975
Becker Brothers New York, US 1892–1940 They Also built pianos under the Bennington name, and player pianos under the Mellotone and Playernola name as well.
Behr Brothers & Co. New York, US 1880–1950 Kohler & Campbell
Bell Brothers Muncie, Indiana, US 1915–1930
Bogs & Voigt Berlin, Germany 1905–1939
Boisselot & Fils Marseille, France 1831–1908 The brand became Boisselot Fils & Co. in 1847, after the passing of his father Jean-Louis Boisselot.
Brinkerhoff Piano Company Chicago, US 1906–1950
Brinsmead London, UK 1835–1921
Brødrene Hals Oslo, Norway 1847–1925
Bush & Gerts Chicago, US 1884–1942 Bought by Haddorff Piano co. in 1942

Cable and Sons New York, US 1852–1936
Cable Piano Company Chicago, US 1880–1937
Cable-Neson Piano Company Chicago, US Founded by brother of Cable Piano Co Sold under the names Fayette S. Cable, Radcliffe, Lakeside, Sweetland, Henderson and Boller
Camp & Company New York City, US 1879–1930 Kohler & Campbell
Carl Dörr Vienna, Austria 1817–1920
Carl Ecke Posen, Germany 1843–1930
Challen Pianos London, UK 1804–1980
Chappell & Co. London, UK 1811–1980 Kemble
Charles Albrecht Philadelphia, PA and Long Island, NY, US 1789–1887 Schultz & Sons Manufacturing Corp. One of the earliest pianos made in America. The first known piano by Albrecht is located at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.[57]
Charles Stieff Baltimore, US 1856–1951 Often referred to as "The poor man's Steinway"
Chas. S. Norris Boston, US 1930
Chickering and Sons Boston, US 1823–1983 American Piano Company Acquired in 1908
Christian Baumann Zweibrücken, Germany 1740–1816
Clementi & Company London, UK 1767–1929
Collard & Collard London, UK 1767–1929
Cunningham Piano Company Philadelphia, US 1891 Pianos are made in China by Hailun Pianos
Currier Piano Co. Boston and Marion, NC, US 1823–1969 Acquisition details

Danemann Pianos London, UK 1893–1994 Also made a Waldberg brand however 'Waldberg Berlin' may be a different company
Decker Brothers New York, US 1862–1900

Ed. Westermayer Berlin, Germany 1863
Ellington Piano Cincinnati, US 1893–1930 Upright and grand pianos.
Emerson Piano Company Boston, US 1849–1945
Érard Paris, France 1777–1971
Ernst Kaps Dresden, Germany 1858–1930
Estey Piano Company New York, US 1846–1961
Euterpe Piano New York, US 1820–1930

F. G. Smith New York, US 1866
Falcone[58] Haverhill, MA, US 1982–1993 American Sejung Corp.
Francis Connor New York, US 1871–1933

G. Rösler Česká Lípa, Bohemia 1878–1948 Petrof Acquired in 1993
G. Schwechten Berlin, Germany 1854–1902 The name "Schwechten" is used in China by Shanghai Piano Co.
Gabler New York, US 1851–1866
Gaveau Paris, France 1847–1994
Gebr. Perzina Schwerin,Germany 1871–1989 The Perzina name was revived as "Yantai Perzina" in China.
George Steck New York, US 1857–1985 American Sejung Corp.
George Wilkinson London, UK 1811–1835
Grinnell Detroit, Michigan, US 1902–1960 In the 1990s, the Grinnell name was revived in a limited number of pianos built by Samick.
Gulbransen Chicago, US 1904–1969

H. Kohl Hamburg, Germany 1855–1909
Haddorf Piano Company Rockford, IL, US 1902–1960 Maker of Steinbach, Clarendon & Dreher, Bush & Gerts
Haines Brothers New York, US 1851–1945
Hallet, Davis & Co. Boston, US 1835–1985 North American Music, Inc. The brand are made in China by Beijing Hsinghai Piano Group, Silbermann Piano Co., and Parsons Music for the importer, North American Music Inc.
Hardman Peck New York, US 1842–1990 The name "Hardman" is used in China by Beiijing HsingHai.
Haynes Chicago, US
Heintzman & Co. Toronto, Canada 1866–1929
Hobart M. Cable La Porte, Indiana, US 1900–1960 American Sejung Corp.
Hornung & Møller Copenhagen, Denmark 1827–1972
Hupfield Dresden, Germany 1880–1990

J. & C. Fischer New York, US 1840–1985
J. B. Cramer & Co. London, UK 1824–1964
J. G. Irmler Leipzig, Germany 1818–1950 Blüthner
J. Gunther[59] Brussels, Belgium 1845–1960
J. Strauss & Son Chicago, US 1925
J. W. Jenkins St. Louis, MO, US 1910–1964
Johann Heichele Ljubljana, Trieste, Italy 1790–1813
Julius Bauer & Co. Chicago, US 1857–1930
Kemble & Co. London, UK 1911–2009 Yamaha
Kirschner New York, US
Kohler & Campbell[60] New York, US 1894–1985 Samick Acquired the name
Krakauer Brothers New York, US 1869–1980
Kranich & Bach New York, US 1864–1985
Kurtzmann New York, US 1848–1938

Lakeside Piano Company Chicago, IL, US Bought by Cable-Nelson
Lauter Piano Co. Newark, NJ, US 1862–1930
Lesage Piano Company[61] Quebec, Canada 1884–1911 Willis & Co. Acquired in 1907
Lester Piano Company[62] Lester, PA, US 1888–1960 Also manufactured brands Channing, Alden, Bellaire, Schubert and Leonard
Lindeman & Sons New York, US 1836–2003
Ludwig & Co. St. Louis, MO, US 1889–1933

M. Schulz Piano Co. Chicago, US 1869–1930 Company manufactured and sold pianos under the names of M. Schulz, Walworth, Bradford, Irving, and Maynard, and Aria Divina. They were also sold under the names Brinkerhoff (from teens until about 1950s) and Schriver & Sons.
Marshall & Wendell New York, US 1875–1953
Mason & Risch Ontario, Canada 1871–1972
Mathushek Piano Co. New York, US 1852–1879
Mehlin & Sons New York, US 1853–1960
Melville Clark DeKalb, IL, US 1900–1940 Baldwin Piano Company Purchased by Baldwin in 1919
Mendelssohn Toronto, Canada 1870–1960
Monington & Weston London, UK 1858–1975
Moore and Moore London, UK 1900–1920
Muir, Wood and Company[63] Edinburgh, Scotland 1798–1818 Wood, Small and Company Wood, Small and Company was formed at John Muir's Death in 1818
Murdoch, McKillop & Co Edinburgh, Scotland 1903

Newman Brothers Chicago, US 1880–1930
Nordheimer Toronto, Canada 1844–1960

P. A. Starck Piano Chicago, US 1891–1965
Pape Paris, France 1817–1875
Petzold Paris, France 1806
Pirsson New York, US 1822–1855
Pleyel et Cie[64] Paris, France 1807–2013 At the end of 2013, the company announced it would cease manufacturing pianos in France[65]

R. Lipp & Sohn Stuttgart, Germany 1831–1998
R. Görs & Kallmann Berlin, Germany 1877–1990
R. S. Williams & Sons[66] Toronto, Canada 1856–1931 Manufactured mandolins, banjos, melodeons, organs and pianos
Raudenbush & Sons St. Paul, MN, US 1883–1935
Reed & Sons Chicago, US 1842–1920
Robert Wornum & Sons London, UK 1811–1900
Rud. Ibach Sohn Düsseldorf, Germany 1794–2007

Schiedmayer Stuttgart, Germany 1809
Schiller Piano Company[67] Oregon, IL, US 1890–1936 Cable Company
Schweighofer Vienna, Austria 1792–1938
Sears, Roebuck & Company[68] Chicago, US 1900–1930 Also manufactured/sold brands Beckwith, American Home, Maywood, Beverley, and Caldwell
Sezemsky Chicago, US 1886–1901
Sherman, Clay & Co. San Francisco, US 1853–2013
Shondorff Woodbridge, CT, US 1850–1938 National Piano Manufacturing Company
Shoninger & Son New York, US 1850–1965
Simpson & Son Piano Co. Albuquerque, NM, US 1940–1990 Simpson & Son was the only piano manufacturer west of the Mississippi during that time. They specialized in custom spinet upright pianos.
Sohmer & Co. New York, US 1872–1996
Søren Jensen Copenhagen, Denmark 1893–1921 sponagle
Starr Piano Company Richmond, IN, US 1872–1950 Originally named the Trayser Piano Company, after one of its founders, George Trayser. They also produced a more affordable, yet exceptional quality, piano line, the "Richmond Piano Company", which was sold alongside theirs in showrooms. Also known for founding Gennett Records.
Steger & Sons Chicago, US 1879–1959 "Steger & Sons is one of the few American manufacturers to survive the Great Depression without being absorbed into a larger conglomerate. "[69]
Steinbach & Dreher Rockford, IL, US 1902–1960 Actually made by Haddorff Piano company.
Sterling Piano Company Derby, CT, US 1866–1967 Founded in 1845 as The Sterling Organ Company by Charles A. Sterling, the company merged with the Winter Piano Company after the Great Depression. They also produced the cheaper, but reputable, Huntington Piano.
Story & Clark Chicago, US 1884–1993
Straube Piano Company Downers Grove, IL, US (1895–1904)
Hammond, IN, US (1904–1940)
Chicago Heights, IL, US (1940–1942)
Rockford, IL, US (1942–1949)		 1895–1949 C.G. Conn Manufactured Straube, Hammond, Gilmore, and Woodward; receiver's sale in 1934; bankruptcy in 1937 – remaining assets, including name and patents continued in 1937 in the newly formed Indiana corporation, Straube Pianos Inc.
Strich & Zeidler[70][71] New York City, US 1889–1930 Also manufactured Homer brand
Stuyvesant New York, US 1886–1930

Sweetland Piano Company Chicago, IL, US Bought by Cable-Nelson
Th. Mann & Co. Bielefeld, Germany 1836–1942
Thomas Goggan & Brother Galveston, TX, US 1866–1915
Timothy Gilbert Boston, US 1829–1868

Uebel & Lechleiter Heilbronn, Germany 1872–1987
United Piano Makers New York, US 1860–1880

Vose & Sons Boston, US 1851–1985 Aeolian Company

W. Ritmüller & Sohn Göttingen, Germany 1795–1933 Pearl River Piano Group in China use the brand name "Ritmüller" for their pianos
W. W. Kimball and Company Chicago, US 1857–1996 see Kimball International
Weber Piano Company[61][72] New York, US 1852–1985 Young Chang Young Chang acquired the Weber name in 1985.[5]
Weber (Ontario)[61] Kingston, ON, Canada 1865–1961 Lesage Piano Company
Welmar Pianos London, UK 1925–2003
Wendl & Lung[73] Vienna, Austria 1910–2021 Wendl & Lung piano models were renamed Feurich. The company was renamed Feurich Pianoforte GmbH in 2021.
Wertheim Piano Melbourne, Australia 1908–1935
Whaley-Royce Toronto, Canada 1888–1969
Wilhelm Spaethe Gera, Germany 1858–1920
Willis & Co.[74] Montreal, Canada 1889–1979 Acquired Lesage Piano Company in 1907. Also manufactured Newcombe
Wm. Knabe & Co. Baltimore, US 1837–1982 Samick Acquired the name in 2001
Wolfframm Dresden, Germany 1872–1930 Started out under brand name Apollo
Wood, Small and Company[75] Edinburgh, Scotland 1818–1829 Successive firms were Wood and Company, J. Muir Wood Company, and Small, Bruce and Company. Continued until Andrew Wood's Death in 1829
Wurlitzer Cincinnati, OH, US 1856–1988 Baldwin Piano Company Also sold under the names Apollo, De Kalb, Julius Bauer, Farney, Kingston, Kurtzman, Merrium. Schaff Bros. and Underwood.

Zimmermann Seifhennersdorf, Germany 1884–2011 C. Bechstein Acquired in 1992

See also

References
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  2. "APOLLO | TOYO PIANO MFG.Co., LTD". toyoapollo.com. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. August Forster website
  4. Baldwin website
  5. "Piano Buying Guide | The Successor To The Piano Book | Piano Buyer". PianoBuyer. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  6. C. Bechstein website
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  10. The Blüthner Artists and Friends
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  12. Bösendorfer website
  13. Bösendorfer Artists & Friends
  14. Cavendish Pianos website
  15. Edelweiss Pianos website
  16. Estonia website
  17. Fazioli website
  18. REFERENCES
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  27. Grotrian Artists
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  29. Broadwood and Sons website
  30. Kawai website
  31. Kawai featured artists
  32. Maene website
  33. Mason & Hamlin
  34. MASON & HAMLIN ARTISTS
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  42. website
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