For Steingraeber pianos that we have available for purchase, click here

 

1852: Founded in Thuringia by Eduard Steingraeber

Steingraeber & Söhne was founded in 1852 by Eduard Steingraeber in Thuringia, Germany. A gifted piano builder trained in Vienna, Eduard set out to create instruments that combined precision craftsmanship with the rich tonal character of Viennese pianos. In 1872, the company moved to Bayreuth, Bavaria—where it still operates today.

 

Late 1800s: Ties to Wagner and the Bayreuth Festival

By the late 19th century, Steingraeber had established close ties with the musical world of Richard Wagner, who moved his opera festival to Bayreuth in the 1870s. The company began producing custom-built grand pianos and uprights tailored to the needs of elite composers and performers, gaining a reputation for artisanal quality and bespoke craftsmanship.

 

Early 1900s: Innovation and Cultural Prestige

Throughout the early 20th century, Steingraeber was known for its small-scale, high-quality production, often designing unique mechanisms and custom cases for artists and institutions. The firm developed specialised models for conservatories, music theaters, and concert pianists seeking clarity, tonal depth, and dynamic response.

 

1930s – 1945: Surviving Political and Wartime Disruption

Like many German piano makers, Steingraeber endured hardship during World War II, with production disrupted and materials scarce. However, due to its small size and private ownership, the company remained independent and family-run, quietly preserving its traditions through the war years.

Preserving Tradition, Embracing Innovation – The Steingraeber Family and George Schmidt

 

1945 – 1990: Post-War Era, Quiet Excellence and Handcrafted Legacy

After World War II ended in 1945, Steingraeber & Söhne resumed production in Bayreuth, focusing on handcrafted, high-quality pianos while many manufacturers turned to mass production. Throughout the Cold War era (1945–1990), the company upheld its reputation as one of Germany’s finest boutique piano makers, serving a niche of professional pianists, conservatories, and cultural institutions. Remaining family-owned and committed to traditional techniques, Steingraeber preserved the artisanal craftsmanship that had defined its legacy since the 19th century.

 

1990s – Present: Innovation with Tradition

Under the leadership of Udo Steingraeber, a sixth-generation descendant, the company has embraced modern innovations while staying true to traditional craftsmanship. Notable innovations include:

• The Sordino pedal (reviving a 19th-century softening mechanism)
• Carbon-fiber actions for improved repetition speed
• Barrier-free pianos for performers with disabilities

Today, Steingraeber & Söhne pianos are among the most exclusive in the world, hand-built in small numbers in Bayreuth, and favored by concert pianists, opera houses, and conservatories that prioritise touch, tone, and individuality.

The Steingraeber-Haus Bayreuth

 

A Legacy of Musical Artistry

With over 170 years of piano-making history, Steingraeber & Söhne remains a family-owned company committed to traditional German craftsmanship, innovation, and artistic expression—producing some of the finest boutique grand and upright pianos available today.

 

 

 

For more information about the different types of pianos, click the links below:

Uprights	Grands

Serial Numbers

1860 - 1000	1865 - 1500	1870 - 2000
1875 - 3000	1880 - 4000	1885 - 4700
1890 - 5500	1891 - 5800	1892 - 6050
1893 - 6350	1894 - 6700	1895 - 7000
1896 - 7350	1897 - 7900	1898 - 8450
1899 - 9200
1900 - 9750	1901 - 10700	1902 - 10950
1903 - 11650	1904 - 12350	1905 - 13000
1906 - 13800	1907 - 14500	1908 - 15300
1909 - 16000
1910 - 16700	1911 - 17500	1912 - 18100
1913 - 18800	1914 - 19500	1915 - 20600
1920 - 20800	1921 - 20900	1922 - 21050
1923 - 21450	1924 - 21600	1925 - 22000
1926 - 22350	1927 - 22800	1928 - 23300
1929 - 23500
1930 - 23750	1931 - 23800	1932 - 23900
1933 - 24000	1934 - 24150	1935 - 24300
1936 - 24450	1937 - 24700	1938 - 27900
1939 - 25300
1940 - 25450	1949 - 25620
1950 - 25800	1955 - 27000
1960 - 28000	1965 - 29710	1966 - 30052
1967 - 30400	1968 - 30736	1969 - 31070
1970 - 31420	1971 - 31700	1972 - 32000
1973 - 32260	1974 - 32500	1975 - 32770
1976 - 33030	1977 - 33290	1978 - 33540
1979 - 33800
1980 - 34180	1981 - 34470	1982 - 34760
1983 - 34950	1984 - 35160	1985 - 35500
1986 - 36000	1987 - 36500	1988 - 37000
1989 - 37500
1990 - 38000	1991 - 38500	1992 - 39178
1993 - 39658	1994 - 40164	1995 - 40888
1996 - 41288	1997 - 41682	1998 - 42168
1999 - 42838
2000 - 43288	2001 - 43889	2002 - 44444
2003 - 44633	2004 - 44910	2005 - 45188
2006 - 45488	2007 - 45678	2008 - 45998
2009 - 46246
2010 - 46400	2011 - 46619	2012 - 46841