HISTORY OF KRANICH & BACH PIANOS

One of the oldest, most noted and prominent firms in the piano industry, which, for nearly a century enjoyed the highest reputation. This business was established in 1864 by Helmuth Kranich and Jacques Bach, both practical piano makers of tried experience. The firm soon became known as makers of distinction, and almost from the start their instruments have been regarded as among the most reliable made. In 1873 Messrs Kranich & Bach moved its factories and warerooms to East Twenty-third Street, New York. In 1890 the business was incorporated. This company prided itself upon the fact that it possessed what is considered one of the most complete and up-to-date piano manufacturing plants in the country, equipped with the finest machinery and most modern appliances. They belonged to the very small group of famous makers whose pianos are among the highest class made in the world.

They are noted for durability, and for a tone which is distinguished for its purity, singing quality, brilliance and carrying power. Obtained awards at the Mechanics' Fair, Boston; Philadelphia Centennial in 1876, and Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

The four foot six inch Grandette was introduced to the trade and the public in 1934, and is among the smallest artistic grands on the market. This instrument is not an abbreviated grand in the sense that it represents a larger scale cut down, but is a grand built with an entirely new scale especially drawn for this instrument, which embodies all the sterling features of Kranich & Bach construction and differs only in dimensions from the larger grands of the same make.

The close of 1935 saw the tests and experimental work on a small upright, incorporating the Violyn piano plate (another notable patent of this house), satisfactorily completed. This commendable addition to an established and complete line of quality pianos is encased in a newly designed model of the vertical type, and trade marked "Grandette" Console. The scale, layout, materials and craftsmanship used in the manufacture of this new "Grandette" Console are identical with those employed only in Kranich & Bach pianos, resulting in a characteristic Kranich & Bach piano. During the year 1937 they manufactured and put on the market a still smaller size-3 ft. 3 in. Console, which also has an original Kranich & Bach scale, developed in their own factory. It was made in several styles and considered one of the most beautiful Console cases being shown. The house perhaps more than ever before in its history, convincingly displayed all of the determination to be fully alert and mindful of modern business methods and requirements yet conservative in its adherence to its traditions and ideals laid down by the founders.

Among the special improvements claimed for the Kranich & Bach piano are the Violin plate (a full metal plate with slanting pin block); the patented spiral spring washer; folding music rack and fall board in the uprights; and the Isotonic pedal which eliminates the shifting action in the grand.