First of all this is an amazing site. I usually don't post. I read. I learn. Hopefully one day I will also learn to play the piano. A friend told me today that they would like to sell their Conn piano. I asked them the name again and was surprised that Conn was the name. I hadn't heard that one before. I did a internet search and found one post. (no replies) It read:

I recently tuned a Conn piano, a 45 inch console, and was very favorably impressed. The sn c25,434 is dated by Pierce as 1990 and made by Kimball. This was quality above what I was used to in Kimball execpting the Columbian Expositon Model at the turn of the century. The hammers resembled Steinway with long cores. The blow was 1 3/4 according to the spec sheet posted on the inside of the piano. Really nice bass, a scale I would copy if I had re rescale a 45 inch console. Since the name Conn was
on it it made me think of Conn the horn maker and why their name would be on a piano. Did or does Walter have anything to do with this name? I would rate it with Everett, M&H, Kawai, and Sohmer large consoles. I would like to hear this side by side with a Steinway console. The long narrow sharps looked and felt good. Perhaps this was when Kimball had Bosendorfer and they made this piano there?


So, does anyone have any input as to the quality of the piano and value of this paino? The cabinet is pristine and the inside seems to be in good order.

Years ago Conn Music desided along with the organs they had made (not very good) thought they should have a piano also. So they had Kimball make them one. Like the Organ, not very good.If cheap enough could be a fair enough starter.I would look around a little more if it's not a steal. That techs. report sounds kind of slanted.
Also welcome to the forum.

Stencil or private label piano to be sold thouugh the Conn organ dealer network. I was surprised to read the comments above. It is my experience that manufacturers seldom (never) build a stencil better than their company branded product i.e. Boston/Kawai. It is a matter of pride and branding protection.

IMHO, Conn organs were ugly sounding(used to have fake cardboard pipes) and the pianos were nothing to "write home about". Craigen is right.

Kimball did not build pianos for Conn. Kimball built such pianos after they bought the rights to the name from Charles Walter.
Conn bought the Janssen Piano Co. and made pianos under their own name at the factory in Michigan. Their scales were designed by Dr. Earle Kent who was one of the earliest users of computers to analize piano scales. When Conn exited the piano business about 1970 Walters bought the factory and began producing his own pianos.

ConnPipes were certainly not cardboard!

I have a Conn piano my mother bought used for about $1,200.00 25 years ago. I've played on it my whole life and it still plays beautifully. I don't know a lot about the inside of pianos, but having played on many pianos over the years and this being the one in my home, I would say the Conn piano I have is excellent.