Description
Hand-crafted in 1996 at Kemble’s celebrated factory in Milton Keynes, England, this 116 cm upright embodies more than a century of British piano-making tradition. Its mirror-finished ebony case, trimmed with solid brass fittings, brings concert-hall elegance to a size that slips neatly beneath a standard windowsill and fits comfortably in modern living rooms, studios, or teaching spaces.
Kemble & Co. began building pianos in London in 1911 and quickly earned a reputation for rugged construction and warm, lyrical tone—qualities that led to long-standing collaborations with international artists and, later, a technical partnership with Yamaha. Instruments from the mid-1990s, like this example, benefit from that era’s fusion of British tonal voicing with the refined engineering standards that made Kemble a multiple recipient of the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.
Despite its compact stature the Kemble 116 surprises with a “big-piano” voice. A full-sized European spruce soundboard, five solid backposts, and precisely scaled stringing deliver a clear singing treble balanced by a rounded, resonant bass. The responsive, all-wood action offers even touch across the keyboard, encouraging both delicate nuance and confident fortissimo playing, while the built-in practice pedal lets late-night sessions stay neighbour-friendly.
Every detail speaks to quality: double swivel castors make repositioning effortless; a slow-fall lid protects small fingers; and the high-gloss polyester finish is as durable as it is striking. Tuned and serviced by our technician, this Kemble 116 is ready to provide decades of reliable musical enjoyment—an ideal choice for advancing students, discerning amateurs, or anyone seeking a genuine British-built upright with pedigree, performance, and timeless style.
