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. Beale Piano: Sydney: 1893-1975: Becker Brothers: New York: 1892-1940. And Uprights. In addition to the Schultz & Sons serial number.
Next to each piano name is one or more numbers. Each number represents a different Player Piano Action. Clicking on the number will take you to a 'Systems' page which may have a short description of that action along with pictures or drawings (if available). Compare what is described in the page against the player action in your piano. Every 'Systems' page has a link to the applicable Service Manual or Technical Reprint, if one is available.
In many cases, companies used different player actions in different models and/or at different times during the heyday of the player piano. If you have tried all of the selections that are offered here, and you still can't find a match, I'd like to know. The completeness and accuracy of this listing depends in part on you. As new information becomes known, the list is immediately updated. If it's not in this list, please write to: John A Tuttle
For historical information about a piano company, please visit the Blue Book of Pianos website. For another source of historical information, visit the Howe Collection, Piano Series webpage. An online listings of piano serial numbers/ages can be seen at 'Bluebook of Pianos'.
Disclaimer: This listing is only as accurate as the information that has been provided by numerous sources. It is not possible to verify all of the information. However, if you are positive that something in the listing is in error, please bring it to my attention and it will be corrected.
Pianos Rated
Best ******
Excellent *****
Very Good ****
Good ***
Fair **
Poor *
GROUP #1
Highest quality instruments. Pianos of utmost quality, built to the highest standards in the industry. Many of these piano manufacturers have a very limited production, and are hand crafted by Artisans. Truly the best of the best.
Price Ranges $45,000- $214,200.
Bechstein ******
Fazioli ******
Sauter ******
Seiler (ES, SE) ******
Bosendorfer ******
Bluthner ******
Schulze Pollmann ******
Steinway & Sons ******
Charles R. Walter *****1/2
Grotrian *****1/2
Mason & Hamlin *****1/2
Group #2
High performance pianos. Pianos built to a higher standard than pianos in the lower categories. These pianos are more durable and built for institutional, professional and artistic uses. Most pianos in this category are European and American made.
Price Ranges $25,900- $70,000.
Baldwin *****
Schimmel Konzert*****
Seiler (ED) *****
Yamaha (S Series Only) *****
Haessler *****
Knabe *****
Kawai Shigeru ****
W. Hoffmann ****
Group #3
Upper Quality Consumer-Grade pianos. These instruments are mostly mass-produced and are more economical than those in the above mentioned categories.
Price Ranges $13,000-39,000
Yamaha (CX Series) ****
Hallet,Davis & Co (Boston) ****
J. Strauss & Son ****
Boston****
Kawai: GX ****
Falcone ***1/2
Taylor ***1/2
Hailun ***1/2
Group #4
Consumer grade pianos. These pianos are designed in favor of being more economical and have less weight on high performance features.
