Ludwig & Co. Piano History

Established in 1888, the Ludwig & Co. piano company entered the piano manufacturing scene at the start of the Golden Era of pianos in New York. During the early to mid 20th century, the Ludwig Piano Company built their high quality pianos in New York.  Some of their earliest pianos were sold under the names “Perry” and “Nevin” as a secondary line to the more expensive Ludwig brand instruments. The “Claviola” and “Perryola” were also brand names that Ludwig & Co. used for their player piano brands as a variation to the popular “pianola” of the day. [1]

In 1933, Ludwig was sold to the Ricca & Sons Piano Company of New York, and they continued building the Ludwig name until World War Two. By the mid 1950s, Atlas Piano Co. in Chicago, Illinois, has taken control of the company and was no longer using the Ludwig name on their pianos. [2]

About Ludwig Pianos

The grand, upright and player pianos that Ludwig & Co. produced were known for their case designs and their quality of tone which rivaled many of the major, expensive manufacturers. Even today, more than 50 years after their peak, the Ludwig piano brand has a good-standing reputation for longevity of quality. [3] 

One of the patented features that made Ludwig & Co. famous was the Unit Valve Player Action, with which the Ludwig player-piano is equipped. The system allowed the values to be individually removed which Ludwig claimed to help reduce cost and simplify mechanics for ongoing maintenance purposes. For this reason, the parts of the players' action are accessible from the front without having to remove the action.

Like many high-end manufacturers battling for recognition at the turn of the century, the Ludwig Piano was honored at the Paris Exposition of 1900. Ranking at the top of many of its competitors like Steinway, Baldwin and others, the Ludwig & Co. piano at the 1900 exhibition was awarded the highest award at the Pan American Exposition and London Crystal Palace Exposition. [3]

Restoring a Ludwig Piano

Ludwig pianos are high quality and can be restored to excellent playing condition by Lindeblad. Call today to get the process started.

References:

[1] http://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/ludwig/

[2] Pierce, W. Robert. Pierce Piano Atlas: Anniversary Edition, 2017 Our 70th Year. Albuquerque: Ashley, 2017. Print.

[3]  http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/agesl.htm#LUDWIG