Knabe grand reputation

[Kdivad@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 06/26/2000 8:05:55 AM Central Daylight Time, 
staytuned@idirect.com writes:

> I don't see many Knabe grands but I have heard good reports about them. One 
I 
> saw the other day is about 5'4" from the early 1930's. Unfortunately, we 
have 
> a farmer on the Niagara Peninsula who is selling used grands, one by one (
> private?) from his house. This one is cheaply refinished and mechanically 
> butchered in many ways. But it sounds pretty good and has much potential.
>  
>  Question. What makes the Knabe seem to have such a good reputation from 
that 
> era?
>  

John, I was in the wholesale business for ten years and though my mainstay 
was used Steinways we always considered Knabe to be in the top five pianos.  
That list included Steinway, Mason, Knabe, Chickering and Baldwin.  These 
pianos consistently brought more money (there even was a time when Mason & 
Hamlin gave Steinway a run for its money, almost).  I am fond of Knabe pianos 
I believe they were very well built and if coaxed the right produced great 
sound.  I still hold that top five list higher than most "no names" as we 
called  them.

  There were some pianos that rivaled even Steinways such as Hume, and 
Steinert which were almost exact copies of Steinways until Steinway put an 
end to it. At least that is the story that the Murphy's of Boston fame who 
own the oldest Steinway dealership outside of Steinway itself in New York.

David Koelzer
Associate Member
DFW