![]() Many pianists (especially touring musicians) came to rely upon the consistency these pianos could deliver and – despite their “sharper” sound – began to prefer these pianos over their more expensive (and less reliable) local competitors. ![]() using their computer automation – creating very good quality pianos that even more people could afford. Then, some Japanese piano makers (like Yamaha) began to season their wood for American climates and even built some pianos in the U.S. They still build every piano by hand in Vienna, Austria.įor those who could afford handcrafted American or European pianos, the choice was clear for awhile. Those “in the know” recommended American or European made pianos.Įstablished in 1828, Bosendorfer is the oldest, continuously-operating piano factory in the world. ![]() Because of this, it became “common knowledge” that pianos made in Japan or Korea were inferior. As a result, pianos made from inappropriately seasoned wood developed mechanical problems and gradually sounded worse over time. Foreign piano builders didn’t season their wood stock in the same way American builders did. These less expensive foreign pianos sold well because they seemed to perform just as well as American pianos, but – as many early adopters came to learn – they didn’t hold up well in the US climate. Because of their durable finishes and lower production costs (thanks to computer automation), foreign manufacturers put many of the American piano builders out of business. By the end of the 1970s, piano sales in the US were again approaching pre-war levels with nearly 290,000 pianos sold – thanks to the influx of brighter, shiny-black pianos mass-produced in Japan and South Korea. ![]() Two world wars took their toll on the American piano industry, but sales peaked again in the 1950s with over 240,000 pianos sold. ![]() American demand for pianos was at its highest point with over 350,000 pianos sold each year. If we go back to the early 1900s (during what many call “The Golden Age of the Piano”), we would find nearly 400 piano builders in the U.S. In the early 1900s, America was home to over 400 piano builders. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |