| Many people who are considering buying a piano are | | | | that is still producing. Established in 1828 by Ignaz |
| definitely looking at older piano brands that will give | | | | Bösendorfer, these pianos have several unique |
| them top quality. Some of the earliest piano | | | | characteristics. They are available with not just the |
| manufacturers are still around, though they may have | | | | standard 88 keys, but also 92 and 97 keys options. |
| changed hands several times over the years and are | | | | The pianos produced by Bösendorfer are |
| still turning out great quality instruments. | | | | renowned for their sound, which is fuller than most |
| With many of these older companies, the instruments | | | | other pianos. Though the company stayed in the family |
| are being built in the same way as they were 100 | | | | for two generations, it was eventually sold to another |
| years ago . . . with careful attention paid to the type of | | | | family and is now in the process of being sold to |
| wood and age that goes into each piano. The amount | | | | Yamaha. However, the actual style of piano is still of |
| of work required to manufacture a great piano that will | | | | top quality. In fact, the process for selecting just the |
| last is something that these companies all have in | | | | wood for the soundboard is so precise that only 2% |
| common. | | | | of the wood provided is actually accepted! This makes |
| Sauter Pianos | | | | for the best quality of sound available and |
| Sauter is the longest standing piano manufacturer | | | | Bösendorfer pianos are definitely among the top |
| around. They began in 1819 and continue to produce | | | | in the world. |
| pianos to this day, making them the oldest existing | | | | Petrof Pianos |
| piano manufacturer. The company was the brainchild | | | | This is a European brand of pianos that was founded |
| of Johann Sauter who combined the technology of the | | | | in 1864 and is one of the oldest companies in Europe |
| US piano manufacturers and the more traditional | | | | that still makes pianos. The Petrof piano is known for |
| values of the Viennese manufacturers to create a | | | | its wider range of tones and the care with which |
| piano that was at once unique and popular. The sound | | | | these pianos are built. The soundboard is built of aged |
| principals haven`t changed much since then and still | | | | spruce, cut in one piece and left to dry for 5 years to |
| produce a superior sounding instrument. | | | | ensure the clearest sound possible. |
| Steinway Pianos | | | | The Petrof pianos are not only still being manufactured, |
| Steinway is one of the most popular piano brands in | | | | they are also still built by hand. Skilled and trained |
| existence and it also happens to be one of the older | | | | craftspeople work hard to create these instruments |
| piano manufacturers, as well. Started by the German | | | | that are truly a work of art. They have been around |
| cabinet maker, Henry Steinway, Steinway Pianos | | | | for many generations and will most likely continue to |
| officially began in 1853, though Steinway had previously | | | | be produced for years to come. |
| built over 400 pianos in his home in Germany, as well | | | | There are many piano manufacturers that have long |
| as his Manhattan home. | | | | since gone out of business, but their instruments are still |
| This piano company is by far the best known of all the | | | | in existence. The businesses mentioned in this article |
| older piano brands. They have a reputation for turning | | | | are all still running and still producing pianos for sale. |
| out top quality branded instruments. | | | | Most of them are quite pricey, due to the high quality |
| Bösendorfer Pianos | | | | produced after 100+ years of experience in the |
| This piano brand is considered to be one of the oldest | | | | industry. |