Piano Factory Locations

There have been many great piano manufacturers through the years and while many of these companies are long gone their names live on through the relatively small amount of current piano builders.

This list will serve as a guide to some of the more familiar brands being manufactured.

YAMAHA

The world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer operates piano factories in many countries and has been building pianos for over 100 years. Yamaha owns and controls all of its factories. All factories use modern machinery, much of which was custom built by Yamaha, along with Yamaha trained staff and quality control.

Prized not only for their tone and touch, but also for their consistency and durability, they are to be found wherever musicians are making their mark. Long a leading choice of the finest schools and conservatories, Yamaha grands are equally prominent on stage at international piano competitions and performing arts organizations around the world.

Grand pianos are manufactured in Japan sans the smallest grand piano which is manufactured in Indonesia.

Vertical pianos 48” and taller are manufactured in Japan.

Vertical pianos 48” and under are built in Yamaha’s state of the art facility in Indonesia.

Yamaha uses its vast acoustic piano knowledge in producing the fine line of Clavinova digital pianos and Hybrid pianos.

Kimball

Kimball is one of the oldest and well known U.S. piano manufacturers. At one time they were the largest keyboard instrument manufacturer. They began manufacturing pianos in 1886 and continued into 1996. At that time Kimball ceased to manufacture pianos but is still a large viable company today. Known as Kimball International their office and hospitality furniture is very well known as well as operating a large contract electronics segment.

Kimball pianos were all manufactured in the United States with the exception being some later model console pianos that were assembled in Mexico. Interesting to note that the made in Mexico instruments were short lived due to the fact that consumers didn’t want a piano, with a U.S. brand name, that wasn’t manufactured in the United States.


There are currently other brands that are still manufacturing pianos along with relatively unknown factories producing “stencil” pianos with recognizable names on them. The brand names are always in a state of flux and must be researched at the time of purchase.

Seiler

Seiler is one of europe's oldest surviving piano builders. Established in 1849, in Germany, they still operate today producing a wide variety of high quality pianos. The SE series of grand and vertical pianos is produced in Germany while the ED series is a duplication of the SE series produced in their ultra high-tech factory in Indonesia. The GS line fills out the line with unique grand and vertical pianos also produced at the Indonesian factory.

Wm. Knabe & Co., Pramberger, Samick

All of these brands are owned by Samick Music Corporation. Samick operates piano factories in Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. All factories are owned and controlled by SMC. Most brands feature pianos that come from any of the three factories. Samick has been been producing instruments in their Indonesian factory for more years than any other Indonesian piano factory. They were once the largest shareholder in Steinway and Sons and currently have a large investment in Kawai.

Samick in certain years has earned the title of  largest grand piano manufacturer and largest guitar manufacturer with most of these instruments coming from their Indonesian factories.


Baldwin

One of the most well known U.S. piano manufacturer has recently, under direction of parent company Gibson, ceased building pianos in the United States and has moved production to China. Baldwin has manufactured pianos with many brand names over time. Names such as Chickering, Howard, Hamilton, Wurlitzer, and D.H. Baldwin. Depending on model and vintage the piano may have been built in a Baldwin factory in the United States or China, or may have been built for Baldwin by other manufacturers in Japan, Indonesia, or China. Some of these manufacturers include Samick, Yamaha, and Kawai.


Steinway & Sons

Steinway is the oldest piano brand still operating in the United States. The company has changed ownership a few times through the years. They also import pianos from Japan and China. Currently, fall 2013, Steinway is changing ownership again. Learn more here

Pianos with the Steinway & Sons logo are built in the New York factory which has recently installed some modern piano manufacturing equipment.

Pianos with the Boston logo are manufactured by Kawai and Samick. To try to separate themselves from Kawai piano models they generally have a wooden vs plastic action. It is interesting to note that Steinway does not elect to use the wide tail in their own pianos.

The entry level piano line is Essex. In an attempt to get into a lower price point the Pearl River piano company in China builds these pianos although some early models were built by Young Chang. Compare current models to their low cost Pearl River counterparts.

If it doesn't stay Steinway across the middle of the key-cover then it is not made by Steinway.


Kawai

Kawai operates piano factories in Japan and Indonesia. Founded in 1927, the company has focused much of its efforts into developing ABS-Carbon actions for its pianos moving away from traditional wooden parts.

Upper end grand pianos are built in Japan.

Lower end grands are made in Indonesia.

Vertical pianos 48” and taller are manufactured in Japan.

Vertical pianos 48” and under are made in Indonesia.


Pearl River and Ritmuller

Pearl River manufactures and sells pianos under its own name and the Ritmuller brand. Pearl River’s factory and headquarters are located in China and have been in operation for just over 50 years. In 1999 they opened their first foreign subsidiary in the United States. That subsidiary has since closed and they are sold through a hired distributor.

All pianos are manufactured in China.


Schimmel

Schimmel was started in 1885 in Germany. In 2016 the Pearl River Group purchased over 90% of the available shares of Schimmel. They build their top of the line pianos under the Schimmel brand name with they Vogel and May brands rounding out their line. Schimmel made large investments in their company and technology in 2011.

Schimmel grands and verticals are manufactured in Germany.

Wilhelm Schimmel pianos are built in Poland.

Fridolin Schimmel pianos are built in China by Pearl River.


Mason & Hamlin

Mason & Hamlin began building pianos in 1881. The company has changed hands numerous times in its history with current owners Gary and Kirk Burgett acquiring the company in 1996. The Burgett brothers also own the PianoDisc player piano mechanism company.

Mason & Hamlin pianos continue to be manufactured in the United States.


Bosendorfer

Bosendorfer started in Austria in 1828. While going trough a handful of ownership changes, including the Kimball Piano company for over 35 years and currently is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha, they continue to manufacture pianos in Austria. Some notable models include 97 and 92 key pianos.

Types of Pianos

Choosing the Right Piano

Caring For Your Piano