Summary: Low-quality build, poor tuning stability/voicing

May Berlin pianos are high-tension design pianos built by Toyama, a Chinese company that also owns a chain of music stores. May Berlin is their ‘house brand’ piano – only found in their stores in China and low-end piano dealerships in other countries. They are sold to dealerships based on being one of the highest margin piano brands in the world. In our opinion, craftsmanship is in line with the low-end Chinese built Kawai pianos (they’re made in the same factory) and low-end Pearl River pianos.

By entering into an agreement with Schimmel, they claim Germain heritage, however there are no interchangable parts between a Schimmel and a May Berlin.

These pianos can sound ok in the store, but the combination of low-quality build and high-tension design lead us to question their tuning and voicing stability. Out of our concerns about lack of endurance, we do not purchase or resell any new or used May Berlin pianos.