Washburn Piano Company began when EXXL Corporation, (owned by the Hermanson family), purchased Washburn Musicland from the Washburn family in June of 1993. The Washburn family had been in business since 1952 as a Baldwin dealer for Phoenix. The store was and still is located in Mesa. Washburn Musicland was changed to Washburn Piano to reflect our emphasis on acoustic pianos and to avoid the impression that we were involved in the band instrument business.

In September of 1993, the Washburn Piano Company assisted Lamar Roach in doing a very successful "Going Out Of Business Sale" (GOB) for Allen Piano & Organ Company. Allen Piano had been the Steinway, Boston, Kawai, Weber and Charles Walter dealer for Phoenix. When this sale was concluded, Washburn Piano took over these franchises and Allen's Scottsdale location, making us a multi-store business.

In January of 1994, Washburn entered into a partnership with Craftsman Piano, a piano rebuilding company in north Phoenix. Craftsman had moved into a large space and wanted to put a retail piano business on one side of the building. Sales volume was average for a new operation, but Washburn and Craftsman decided to dissolve the partnership when each company wanted to expand into each other's area of expertise, Washburn into rebuilding, Craftsman into retail sales. The dissolution was in January 1995.

In June of 1994, Washburn opened a new store on Bell Road in Glendale. Also, in June, Washburn became the Young Chang and Kurzweil dealer for Phoenix. Because of the addition, Washburn dropped the Weber franchise of Arizona.

In July of 1995, Washburn assisted Andy Riordan, owner of Riedling Music Company, in a "Going Our Of Business" sale, (GOB), in the Albuquerque area. Andy was the Steinway, Boston, Kawai and Charles Walter dealer for the Albuquerque area. After the "GOB" sale was completed, Washburn took over the above franchises and added Weber and Kurzweil.

In January of 1996, a third family member, Vince Bray, joined the company. Vince, an engineer oversaw the Washburn warehouse and its operations. In 1999, Vince was promoted to vice-president and added computer & inventory supervision to his duties.

In November of 1997, Washburn Piano Company assisted Keyboards West in a "Going Out Of Business Sale" (GOB), in Anchorage, Alaska. Keyboards West was the Yamaha, Kawai, and Kurzweil dealer for Anchorage. After the "GOB" sale was completed, Washburn took over the above franchises.

In March 1998, Washburn Piano Company purchased the two Sherman Clay stores and their warehouse, located in Phoenix, Arizona. A "Going Out Of Business Sale" (GOB), was done in both locations. Sherman Clay was the Yamaha and the Kohler & Campbell dealer in the Phoenix area. After the "GOB" sales were completed, the stores were renamed Herman & Sons Piano Merchants, and took over the above franchises and later the Mason Hamlin piano line was added.

In November 1998, Washburn Piano Company purchased three stores from Evans Music in Seattle, Washington. A "Going Out Of Business Sale"(GOB), was done in all 3 locations. Evans Music was the Yamaha, Samick, Mason Hamlin and George Steck dealer in Seattle area. After the "GOB" sale was completed, Washburn Piano Company took over the above franchises. The stores were located in Seattle, Bellvue, and Tukwila Washington.

In October 1999, Washburn Piano took over Pianos Unlimited in Anchorage, Alaska. A "Going Out Of Business Sale"(GOB) was done. Pianos Unlimited was the Steinway and Baldwin dealers for Anchorage. After the "GOB" was completed, the 2 Anchorage stores were consolidated into one store. Washburn Piano Company took over the above franchises.

In November 1999, Washburn Piano Company also opened Steinway Hall in Scottsdale, Arizona. The merchandise lines carried are Steinway, Boston and Charles Walter.

In July 2000, Washburn Piano Company became the Steinway and Baldwin dealer in Tucson Arizona.

In October 2000, Washburn Piano Company opened Piano City in El Paso, TX. Piano City is EL Paso's Baldwin dealer.

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