Who makes elbridge pianos?

Answer 1

WINTER & CO - Do You Know The History of Your Piano?

For many years one of America's largest and leading piano manufacturers, Winter & Co., whose pianos were produced in an ultra modern factory in Memphis, TN starting in1899, still, to this day, have a reputation of progressiveness which has resulted in beautifully toned and styled pianos of long durability. Winter & Co. pianos were produced in a carefully inspected and approved manner used the finest of materials. All genuine Winter pianos bear their name on the fall boards and in its cast on the iron plates. Pianos bearing this name are recommended as absolutely safe to buy.

Winter & Co. had all the equipment for production of quality pianos under the most economical conditions. The Winter factory was self-contained with a large lumber yard for storing and air-drying kilns to insure proper drying and aging of all wood parts. The Winter lumber mill was considered a model for completeness of equipment to turn out the most elaborate case work; as well as backs, pin blocks, bridges, etc., of the very highest quality. The veneers used in the Winter pianos were carefully selected for beauty of figure. A completely equipped veneering department had hot plate presses, automatic glue spreaders, veneer dryers, taping and matching machines to insure productive efficiency and permanent bonding. Core stock was quarter-sawed in small strips so that even under the most adverse conditions, warping of case work was held to a minimum. In the case shop, elaborate sanding machines, as well as a staff of hand-sanders, guarantee a beautiful, hand-crafted smooth rich finish. Also, note the 3 foot pedals denoting that this is perhaps a shade above many other upright pianos.

All Winter piano cases were double filled and stained before the best quality lacquer was applied to produce the handsome, durable finish. All exposed internal wood parts were filled and sealed to protect against moisture and atmospheric conditions. In stringing, the experienced craftsmen perform action finishing, side-gluing, regulating and tuning; these uniquely crafted operations were the best traditional hand methods ever used in the industry. The craftsmen who built Winter pianos were of long experience, many having been with the company for over thirty years, and had long training in the art of producing fine tone quality. Steady employment at the Winter factory was a result of the large demand for its pianos and this attracted the best and most experienced craftsmen. Every operation in the factory was passed upon by an inspector before moving on to the next department. Finally, each instrument was hand-rubbed, fine tuned, and a final inspection was made and served to protect the high standards of Winter pianos before shipment to the customer. The recognition given by the trade to the Winter line is the best evidence of their musical excellence, fine quality and attractive designs. Winter & Co. made a very comprehensive line of pianos, consisting of Grands, Studios, Spinets, and Consoles in a variety of cases.

By 1932, Winter & Co consolidated with the Aeolian - American Piano Company and expanded their factories to into East Rochester, NY, Worchester, MA and the original Winter & Co., factory in Memphis, TN. Aeolian became affiliated with Sears Roebuck and Co. In 1941, brothers, William G. and Henry R. Heller acquired a majority stake in Sears and devoted the company to the production of defense during WWII. Faith in the industry and the conviction that the piano industry needed someone to keep the venerable manufacturers in operation, Aeolian acquire additional companies which would not have otherwise survived during these difficult economic times.

During the 1960's, the work force at Aeolian included only excellent craftsmen under the direction of the Heller Brothers who had been associated with these fine makes for many years, thus preserving unimpaired the individual and distinctive quality of each piano they produced. The affiliation of the various houses that formed this large and powerful contributing force to the art of music insures for each a wider scope for musical activity in that each of its units was of the highest quality in its grade, which had an extraordinary economy of production. This company's purchasing power contributed immeasurably to the integrity and value of instruments that were made.

By 1982, the Aeolian Corporation owned over 40 registered brand names. By various Mergers and Acquisitions over the years they combined 16 domestic piano producers and became the largest Canadian producer. Recognition was given by the trade to the various Aeolian lines. The best evidence is that of Aeolian Corporation's pianos manufactured in Memphis and East Rochester. These included grands, studios, spinets, consoles and players in a variety of scales and finishes, as well as case designs. Aeolian produced not only the concert and beginners piano, but also for the artist and leisure time musician.

Unfortunately, production began to cease in 1982 and finally ended in 1985. There are however, countless of thousands of Aeolian -American/Winter & Co. pianos still in use throughout America including in private homes, schools, churches and rental fleets. To this day, these finely assembled pianos provide students with the perfect entry level piano ever made at a price that most families could afford. Their quality, craftsmanship and durability are tested with time. Here are the names of the pianos manufactured by Aeolian/Winter & Co:

A B Chase Gabler Musette

Aeolian - Haines & Co.Normandie

Armstrong Haines Bros. Pease

Bent, George P. W.P. Haines Pianette

Bradbury Hallet & Davis Pianola

Brewster Hardman Poole

D.S. Buchanan Heller & Company Primatone

Cable Holmer & Sons Restonic

Cable, Fayette S. Holmes & Co. Rudolph

Carola Huntington Schneider,

Chickering Ivers & Pond Schiller

Conover - Cable Kingsbury George Steck

Cook, J.B. Knabe Sterling

Crown Kranich & Bach Sting

Duo - Art Laffargue Stratford

Elbridge Lindeman Stroud

Ellsworth Marshall & Wendell Stuyvesant

Emerson Mason & Hamlin Vose & Sons

Euphona Mehlin & Sons R. W. Waude,

J & C. Fischer Melodigrand Weber

Foster - Armstrong Mendelssohn Wheelock

Franklin Henry F. Miller Wellington