Pianos and Organs 

Articles by Ethan Lundry Class of '18

The Musbach Museum has four pianos displayed inside. There are two pump organs, a player piano, and a grand piano. The pump organs we are going to talk about are Kimball pump organs. The next piano we are going to learn more information about is a Hammond player piano. Another Piano at the museum is a Krell Upright Piano.

Kimball Pump Organ

Kimball pump organs were first made in 1881 but the company was founded by William Wallace Kimball in 1857. It was located on Wabash Ave. and Jackson Blvd Chicago IL. Then the factory was moved to Rockwell and 26th ST Chicago IL. They made organs for Bentley, Goggin, Thiery, J.V. Watson, Pacific Queen and Grate Western. Kimball international is still an organ making company in Jasper Indiana.
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​Hammond Player Piano

Hammond Player Pianos made by Straube Piano Company were thought to be connected to the Hammond Organ Company. The Straube Piano Company was established in 1878. Hammond Player Pianos were produced by Straube Piano Company in Hammond Indiana. Hammond pianos were produced in the same factory as Straube and Gilmore pianos. In 1905 Straube introduced the style 21 and 23. Lindeblad restores early-American pianos like Hammond pianos.
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​Krell Piano Company

The Krell Piano Company was established in 1889. Albert and his sons opened the company in Cincinnati Ohio. In the 1920’s the firm was purchased by warner industries. Warner industries continued to create pianos under the names of Krell, Auto Player, Duchess and Royal. Krell pianos were made up until about the 1950’s.