Welmar Pianos

History, relative rating, UK availability and examples handled by Roberts Pianos Oxford.

Guide rating 55-75

Photo Gallery

This is a typlcal Welmar, one of the best small pianos ever made. The piano illustrated is one of the most common of their range; extremely stable with a fine mellow tone.

View of the inside of an Welmar upright piano

Welmar upright piano side view in mahogany

Welmar upright piano in rosewood, side view with lid closed.

Welmar upright piano hammers

At a glance

Welmar facts

Make: Welmar

Made in: London, established 1925; from about 1995 made in Stroud. Ceased production 2003

Made by: Welmar

Rating: 55-75

Estimated Number In UK: 25,000. About 70% small modern (115cm or less), 5% baby grand, 20% older taller uprights, 5% other.

Year and serial number:
1930 – 16500

1940 – 23500

1946 – 46000 (from this year until 1986 the first two numbers refer to the year)

1987 – 106675

1990 – 107935

2000 – 11094

Comments

Generally fine quality British pianos. About 60% of Welmar pianos are small modern ones 110cm (3ft 7in) high or less. These are generally of very high quality and if you’re looking for a small piano you would do much better buying one of these than buying a small new upright made in the Far East. However, there are also several modern Welmars that aren’t so rich sounding and smooth to play. It’s important when buying a Welmar to seek advice. The uprights from 1925 to about 1945 are generally excellent when restored. More modern Welmars from 1960 to 1990 are varied but generally good and in some cases excellent. Baby grands (5ft to 5ft 6in) made in the 1930s are good and often a copy of Bluthner, whose pianos they imported. They are generally mahogany or walnut.