Litchfield Piano Works - CT Piano Dealer

Knabe Pianos

History

The Knabe Piano story begins two hundred years ago in the village of Kreutzberg, Germany, with the birth of Wilhelm Knabe in 1803. After a formal education to prepare him for a professional career, he decided to apprentice himself to a German maker of pianofortes and develop the art of piano-making.

After learning his new trade at various German piano makers' shops, he migrated to the United States in 1833. Young Wilhelm changed his name to William and quickly found work with Henry Hartje's piano-making shop. At that time he began the study of the English language and American business conditions.

In 1837 he launched out on his own with a partner, Henry Gaehle, forming a firm of Knabe & Gahle. In 1854 William bought out his partner and changed the name of the firm to Wm. Knabe & Co.

Sound Production

From the very beginning, William Knabe committed himself and his company to building fine, high performance instruments. Soon the great pianists of the world began to recognize this Baltimore piano maker's designs and craftsmanship. Concert halls all across America and Europe began featuring Wm. Knabe pianos. The Knabe has also been the chosen instrument of important conservatories of music, public schools and music departments of colleges and other institutions where musical instruction has a prominent place in the curriculum.

The rich and wondrous tonal quality of the Knabe has often been described as the nearest approach to the human singing voice. Its reputation for matchless tone and flawless beauty of encasement is the result of undeviating adherence to the conviction that in piano making there is no detail that does not deserve the closest attention and care. This policy is accepted as a trust by craftsmen who consider it a privilege to add their skill to the creation of pianos worthy of the Knabe prestige.

Appearance

Only woods, metals, glues or natural fabrics best for each particular purpose are ever permitted in the Knabe. For example, the only wood used for Knabe pin planks is winter-cut, quarter-sawn, northern hard rock maple for added strength and holding power. For other woods, we search the globe...17 areas in all...for the rarest varieties to provide the specific grain and texture required for each application.

Run your hand around the rim of today's Knabe grand. Then try the same on other grands. The sweep of your hand tells you that the Knabe is much larger in proportion to its length. This greater area of sound amplification is equalized on either side of the treble bridge. Result... fuller, richer, balanced tone. Or ask to look inside a Knabe console. Every surface is completely finished.