Cable Nelson Piano History 

The start of the Cable Nelson piano company began in 1903 when Fayette S. Cable purchased two well-known piano companies at the time: Lakeside Piano Co and Sweetland Piano Co. Once colleague, H.P. Nelson joined the company in 1905, the name was changed to Cable-Nelson. The two previously-purchased companies were located in Chicago, but the merging and start of the new brand was the perfect opportunity for the co-owners to relocate the company to South Haven, Michigan. [1] [2]

Their vision was to build their company in a small, midwestern American town where it could grow a loyal base of workers and become a household name. The company flourished with this mindset for nearly two decades before being bought by the Everett Piano Company in 1926. Initially becoming a division of the company, by 1954, the Everett Piano Company was bought by the Hammond Organ Company. This drastically changed the production approach and the brand reputation for the Cable-Nelson pianos. [2]

In 1973, both the Everett and Cable-Nelson piano companies were purchased by Yamaha Corporation and production was moved to Georgia. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Cable-Nelson name was used off and on. As of 2014, Yamaha is not currently producing new Cable-Nelson pianos.

About Cable Nelson Pianos

Known for being a well-made, midwestern-American piano brand, Cable Nelson pianos came in all types of upright and grand piano models and sizes. Throughout the rise of the in-home piano movement in the early to mid-1900s, the Cable-Nelson pianos garnered a reputation for affordability without sacrificing quality. 

Like many of the other piano brands at the time, Cable Nelson wanted to make sure their customers knew the way that they did business was unique and worthy of trust. They prided themselves on sourcing high-grade materials while making their pianos the cost effective choice for the average American. [2]

Throughout the years of mergers and acquisitions, Cable-Nelson produced pianos under the following names:

- Lakeside 

- Radcliffe 

- Sweetland

- Dulcitone Player

- Denton 

- Cottier 

- Daniels 

Restoring a Cable-Nelson Piano - Yes or No?

The question whether to restore a piano or not troubles many piano owners with older or antique pianos. Much of the decision depends on whether the sentimental value is worth the price tag, since many pianos like Cable-Nelson were not worth very much from the start.

A Cable-Nelson piano was known for affordability even in the early 1900s. While the case designs and the quality of materials were reputable at the time, restoring a Cable-Nelson may only minimally increase the resale value of the piano.

Contact Lindeblad Pianos to learn more about your options for restoration and whether we recommend restoring your Cable-Nelson piano or not.

References: 

[1] http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/agesc.htm#CABLE-NELSON

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