Grand pianos Kimball for sale

William Wallace Kimball, an American entrepreneur, initially worked as a real estate broker. However, faced with market risks and an unstable economic situation in the USA, he decided to change the direction of his business and focus on selling pianos. In 1857, he founded the W.W. Kimball Company in Chicago, specializing in the sale of prestigious piano and grand piano brands such as Chickering & Sons, Hallet-Davis, and Emerson. Initially, the company acted only as a distributor and did not engage in manufacturing instruments.

The Early Days of Kimball Grand Piano Production

During its first two decades, Kimball focused on selling instruments, but around 1882, the company began producing reed organs. The various components of these instruments were ordered from external suppliers, assembled in Kimball's facilities, and then sold with increasing success. In 1887, in response to the growing market demand, the company opened its first factory dedicated to producing grand pianos. Initially, these were average-quality instruments, but to enhance their quality, Kimball hired specialists from renowned manufacturers such as Steinway & Sons. Thanks to these efforts, the quality and popularity of Kimball grand pianos gradually increased, making them an integral part of many American households in the early 20th century.

Kimball expanded its operations to include the production of small and large pipe organs, which were manufactured for about 50 years, as well as phonographs. The company grew dynamically until the Great Depression and later World War II, which significantly impacted the financial stability of W.W. Kimball Company and many other manufacturers. In the 1950s, an attempt was made to resume production in a new factory, but production costs exceeded revenues. In 1959, the company was sold and became part of The Jasper Corporation, a producer of wooden components, mainly furniture. The new owner, Arnold F. Habig, restored the company’s success within a decade. In the 1970s, Jasper Corporation changed its name to Kimball International, which also included furniture and electronic equipment production. Gradually, the Kimball brand regained its position as a leader in the production of grand pianos, upright pianos, and related instruments such as consoles and spinets. For 30 years, Kimball International also owned the Bösendorfer brand, acquired from Austria in 1966.

International Successes

One of the most memorable events in Kimball's history was the delivery of 84 grand pianos for the opening ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Pianists performed alongside an orchestra playing George Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue," creating an unforgettable spectacle. However, interest in classical grand and upright pianos soon began to decline, leading to the suspension of Kimball instrument production in 1996. The last grand piano produced by Kimball was symbolically signed by all employees and is now housed in the Kimball office in Jasper.

Kimball Pianos Today

Today, Kimball grand and upright pianos are still available on the market, although they are primarily manufactured in China, with final assembly and finishing completed in the United States. The construction of modern instruments differs significantly from the original American models.

The Value of Kimball Grand Pianos

Although Kimball grand pianos achieved significant success, these instruments are generally considered to be mid-range. Each model should be evaluated individually, but in general, they are durable grand pianos that are rarely subjected to complete restoration.

Kimball Piano Serial Numbers

• 1888 - 1
• 1892 – 23000
• 1899 – 66000
• 1900 – 71000
• 1905 – 140000
• 1910 – 211000
• 1915 – 279800
• 1920 - 322000
• 1925 - 360400
• 1930 - 383000
• 1935 - 406000
• 1940 – 438000
• 1946 – 480000
• 1950 - 517000
• 1955 - 562300
• 1960 – 604000
• 1965 - 661300
• 1970 - 764200
• 1975 – 951000
• 1976 – 1000100