Piano Makes and Models

Challen, Chas., London - Est'd 1804

Makers of well-made instruments with a good well-rounded tone and lightish, responsive, touch. Challen built the 11ft 8in Grand, the largest in the world, in 1935. Challen also supplied the BBC with pianos in the 1930s. The company was taken over by Barratt & Robinson in 1971.

Chappell, London - Est'd 1811

By 1900, Chappell had produced over 36,000 instruments, and in its heyday, produced over 1000 pianos each year. The best uprights were made after the 1st World War, and have a full rich bright tone. Also made the Elysian Uprights.Their Grands were also excellent pianos, and were good from the mid-1890s. Chappell were taken over by Kemble in the 1970s.

Collard & Collard, London - Est'd 1760

Was second only to Broadwood in terms of output during the 19th Century. The better instruments were made after 1900, and are well-liked. C&C were taken over by Chappell in 1929, who used the name until 1971. C&C also built pianos by Kirkman.

Cramer, J.B., London - Est'd 1824

Builders of above-average quality instruments. Cramer have not, perhaps, had the same reputation as the other top British makers, but we like the solid construction, and excellent tone, with a deep bass. They have produced some art-cased instruments. We have restored many such pianos over the years. The company was inevitably taken over by the Kemble piano group in 1964, who, for a limited period used the `Cramer' name on its own pianos.

COURTNEY PIANOS wishes to make it clear that all information herein has been compiled at its own discretion, and opinions expressed are those of our researchers, based on our years of experience within the piano trade.