Charles Walter 43 ¾” Studio Upright Piano

The Charles R. Walter Model 1520 is a particularly appealing American-made upright piano, combining the compact size and attractive furniture styling of a console with a level of construction and musical performance that is unusually substantial for a 43-inch instrument. Built by the Charles R. Walter Piano Company in Elkhart, Indiana, the 1520 was designed with a full-size, direct-blow action, individually weighted keys, a substantial 1⅝-inch butcher-block keybed, a 29-ply pinblock, and a non-laminated spruce soundboard.  The company produced less than 700 pianos per year, in the master craftsman style. This instrument was signed by Kevin Walter with his final approval. Walter pianos have longer string length and larger soundboard size than much taller pianos like the Kawai and Yamaha Professional upright series. The furniture of Charles Walter pianos are made of all solid core lumber, not plywood or particle board found in Asian counterparts. These pianos also feature longer key length and hand balanced and weighted action, for the most uniform and expressive feel available in vertical pianos.

One detailed evaluation of the 1520 praised its full, rich, singing tone, substantial action, good control and responsiveness, and surprisingly satisfying dynamic range for such a compact piano, even noting that it performed especially well with lush Romantic repertoire. The 1520 is also distinguished by its handsome American furniture craftsmanship, with traditional cabinetry available in woods such as walnut, cherry, oak, and mahogany and finishes designed to resemble fine furniture. Overall, the Charles Walter 1520 offers a wonderful combination of rich musical character, responsive touch, quality American construction, and elegant styling, making it an excellent choice for a home where both serious playing and beautiful furniture are important.  Simply put, when it comes to vertical pianos, Charles Walter is the best of the best!  As the #1 hand made American upright piano, this one comes complete with a matching bench and a 6 year guarantee on parts and labor.