History and Production of Charles R. Walter Pianos: Exceptional Instruments from the USA

The American history of piano manufacturing is exceptionally rich, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries when keyboard instruments such as spinets, console pianos, upright pianos, square pianos, and grand pianos were mass-produced. Between 1830 and 1885, many factories emerged, producing legendary brands such as Chickering, Steinway & Sons, Mason & Hamlin, and Wurlitzer. Today, only a few factories in the USA produce instruments from start to finish, and many formerly American brands have moved their production to factories in Asia. Walter Piano Company is the only family-owned business that still manufactures pianos in the USA.

Although this brand is relatively young (yet the oldest among current American manufacturers), its origins trace back to Elkhart, Indiana. Since 1969, they have produced upright pianos under the Janssen brand (acquired from C.G. Conn, where Charles worked). Since 1975, pianos produced by this factory have been known as Charles R. Walter. The founder of the company, engineer Charles Walter, specializes in piano construction and innovation. Charles R. Walter pianos are high-quality instruments, produced slowly and with great attention to detail, resulting in an annual production of fewer than 2,000 instruments. They are praised by technicians and specialists for their solidity, durability, and excellent craftsmanship. The sound of these pianos is full and resonant, especially in the lower register.

Charles R. Walter Grand Piano Models

For over 20 years, the Charles Walter Piano Company exclusively produced upright pianos. It was not until 1997, after many years of preparation, that the first grand piano, measuring 6'4" (190 cm), was produced in collaboration with renowned designer Del Fandrich. The second grand piano model is slightly smaller, at 5'9" (175 cm). All instruments are largely made from American and German materials and parts. An interesting fact is that each instrument is overseen by a member of the Walter family during the production process, and the piano is marked with a quality seal and the signature of the person supervising its creation.

If you are looking for a Charles Walter piano for sale, be sure to check the Klaviano search engine. There, you will find offers for new instruments directly from the manufacturer's factory as well as used Charles Walter pianos. You can also inquire about the price of a Charles Walter piano – a new Charles Walter upright piano can be found for under $20,000, while grand pianos cost four to five times more. This is a very general price range, so it is best to ask the seller directly. If you own (or plan to own) a used Walter piano, you are probably interested in the production date of the instrument. You can check this by reading the serial number of the Charles Walter piano and consulting with the manufacturer or a Klaviano assistant.