Petrof Pianos: A History of Elite European Craftsmanship

Among the elite circle of European piano makers, Petrof piano stand as a beacon of Czech heritage and tonal beauty. Founded in 1864, Petrof has survived world wars and political upheavals to remain one of the few family-run piano manufacturers in the world. Known for their "romantic" and "singing" tone, Petrof pianos offer a distinct alternative to the bright, percussive sound of many modern mass-produced instruments and especially so as pianos appear in secondary markets.

The Petrof story began in Hradec Králové when Antonín Petrof, after apprenticing with master piano builders in Vienna, returned home to transform his father’s joinery workshop into a world-class piano factory.

• Imperial Excellence (1864–1948): The company grew rapidly, earning the prestigious "Imperial and Royal Warrant" to the Austro-Hungarian court. By the 1920s, Petrof was a global exporter, even opening a showroom in London’s Wigmore Street in partnership with Steinway.

• The Nationalisation Era (1948–1991): Following WWII, the factory was taken over by the state. While production increased, the Petrof family lost control of their legacy for over 40 years.

• The Family Return (1991–Present): After the Velvet Revolution, the Petrof family successfully privatized the company. Today, led by Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová (the 5th generation), Petrof has returned to its roots, focusing on high-quality hand-craftsmanship and innovative magnetic action systems.

Often described by musicians as having a velvety, soft, and rounded tone. Petrof Pianos are not designed to be "loud" at any cost; rather, they excel at nuanced, expressive playing.

Petrof pianos are known for a medium-to-firm touchweight. This is intentional; it allows for a vast dynamic range, from the quietest pianissimo to a powerful, orchestral fortissimo. While some beginners may initially find the action "heavier" than a standard Japanese piano, advancing students and professionals often prefer it because it offers better resistance for nuanced phrasing.

Petrof uses a blend of their own Czech-manufactured parts and the world's most prestigious German components to achieve their signature feel.

• Renner Actions: Most modern Petrof grand pianos and many of their larger uprights (such as the P 131 and P 135) are fitted with Renner actions—the same manufacturer used by Steinway and C. Bechstein.

• Petrof-Detoa Action: For their mid-sized and smaller uprights, Petrof often uses actions produced by Detoa, a historic Czech company. These are highly reliable and specifically designed to handle the unique geometry of Petrof cabinets.

• Abel or Renner Hammers: Petrof sources its hammers from the two world-leading German suppliers, Renner and Abel. These hammers feature high-quality wool felt and walnut or hornbeam cores, contributing to the "velvety" tone.

• Bohemian Spruce Keys: The keys are made from solid, high-altitude spruce, ensuring they remain straight and responsive despite changes in humidity.

Because Petrof has consistently used high-grade parts (Renner, Abel, Detoa), a pre-owned Petrof is an incredibly safe investment. These components are built to be serviced and regulated, meaning a skilled technician can always restore a Petrof to its original, beautiful factory feel.

Use this guide to determine the age of a secondhand Petrof. Numbers represent the serial sequence reached by the end of that decade or period.

Petrof pianos represent incredible value, especially in today’s secondhand market. They offer a level of hand-finishing and tonal depth that usually costs significantly more in other European brands. For the price of a mid-range new Asian piano, a savvy buyer can often find a well-maintained pre-owned Petrof that offers a much more "soulful" playing experience.

Millers sold Petrof pianos for many years before through the 1980's and 1990's so we see many old friends return back to us. We're happy to receive them in part-exchange or buy them back, service, and sell or rent them as excellent value instruments.

Furthermore, Petrof pianos in the secondary market fit beautifully within our European range alongside W.Hoffmann and C.Bechstein. While C.Bechstein represents the pinnacle of German precision and W.Hoffmann offers the clarity of the C. Bechstein design philosophy, Petrof provides that unique, slightly softer Bohemian character. Together, they offer a complete palette of European sound for any discerning pianist.