Gotthard and John A. Schaff started manufacturing pianos in Chicago under then name of G. Schaff Bros.
John A. Schaff created a string winding machine and thus a bass string manufacturing business was born. Chicago was becoming the center of production for many major piano companies and there was a large demand for quality bass strings.
Robert E. Johnson Sr., and Robert E. Johnson Jr., purchased the piano supply business from Continental Music, which was previously owned by Lyon & Healy. Lyon and Healy had originally purchased the supply company from Tonk Bros. Manufacturing.
Herbert, David and Stephen Johnson, sons of Robert E. Johnson Jr., decided to relocate Schaff Piano Supply Co. and Schaff Piano String Corp. to a new warehouse in Lake Zurich, IL.
Schaff Piano Supply Co. acquired American Piano Supply Co. and its division, John Schadler and Sons, located in Clifton, NJ, which included Tuners Supply Co. and the HALE name.
The 6th generation is presently active in the management of Schaff Piano Supply Co.
Acquired Pianophile Inc., a piano parts distribution company in Montreal, Canada.
Moved into a new state-of-the-art warehouse.