After 60 years of craftsmanship—combined with the largest, state-of-the-art factory—Pearl River has arguably become the ’World’s Best Selling Piano.’

Original Piano Maker(s)

Since its inception, the Chinese Government owned the company. In c. 2012, Pearl River went public.
 
Date Established
1956
 
Original Location(s)
Guangzhou, China
 
Benefits & Features
  • “World’s Best-Selling Piano Manufacturer, Sold In Over 100 Countries”
  • Grand piano rims made of walnut, permitting a lower tension scale design (for warm, rich tones and longer sustain)
  • 100% close-grained spruce soundboards, tapered to improve flexibility
  • “Seasoned” woods acclimatized to ensure reliability, reducing swelling & contracting
  • Wet sand cast plates on all models, providing incredible strength to support string tension
  • Cut-thread tuning pins for greater precision in tuning
  • Vertically laminated maple bridges & multi-ply rock maple pin-blocks
 

Notable Dates

  • 1980s — Pearl River obtains import/export rights.

  • 1992 — Tong Zhi Cheng (born c. 1942) appointed Chairman of the Board; originally hired in 1958, he is one of the longest-term employees of Pearl River.

  • 1995 — Joint venture with Yamaha to produce low-end Yamaha uprights.

  • 1996 — Pearl River ends affiliation with Yamaha.

  • 1999 — Pearl River acquires Ritmüller.

  • 2000 — Pearl River begins manufacturing Ritmüller pianos.

  • 2005 — Joint venture with Steinway & Sons to create Essex pianos, manufactured in Guangzhou.

  • c. 2007 — Pearl River becomes the largest piano factory in the world.

  • 2009 — Through the work of designer Lothar Thomma, Ritmüller becomes reinvigorated as a high-end piano in North America, along with Kayserburg in other parts of the world.

  • c. 2012 — Built state-of-the-art, 1.2 million sq. ft. factory.

  • 2013 — The Kayserburg Artist Piano introduced; they are hand-made pianos designed under Stephen Mohler, a protégé of Lothar Thomma.

  • 2015 — MMR Dealers’ Choice Award, Acoustic Piano Line of the Year.

  • 2016 — MMR Dealers’ Choice Award, Acoustic Piano Line of the Year.

PEARL RIVER GALLERY

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For prices on any of these Pearl River Pianos,
visit our store or call us today!