I have owned a Knabe Ampico Grand for many years.  I have attended NAMM
trade shows for years and have been in the music store business since
1961.  The store at one time sold Knabe pianos and I have always been
interested in Knabe pianos.  I have always wanted to know why they were
not as strong or brilliant sounding as a Steinway or Mason and Hamlin
as well as a host of other questions.  A person can gather a wealth of
different opinions over the years concerning these pianos.

These pianos are softer voiced than Steinway's or Mason's.  The scales
changed in the early 'twenties.  The 5'4" Knabe and other American Piano
Co. brands shared the 5'4" scale for period.  They are very listenable
for me compared to some other brands.

A. B. Chase made the nine foot models in the late 1920's as Knabe was
so backlogged with orders, according to the company records that I
think may be in the possession of PianoDisc.  In the 1960's and maybe
earlier to the end of American production the Knabe and Chickering were
the same scale.

Knabe was considered number two behind Mason and Hamlin.  Knabe is
still my favorite Ampico model piano.  (I have two Knabe's and a Mason.)
Some people like chocolate and some like vanilla.  As always these are
just opinions.

Don Teach