C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of pianos, highly regarded for their concert grand pianos as well as upright pianos. Bechstein has been making pianos since 1853, the same year as Steinway & Sons.

C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on 1 October 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany.

Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by the virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857, Hans von Bülow (Liszt’s son-in-law) gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin.

Famous players of Bechstein Pianos:
- For his studio recording of the music of Chopin and Beethoven, Dinu Lipatti used a Bechstein piano.
- Edwin Fischer chose a Bechstein piano for his pioneering recording of Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, as did Artur Schnabel for his cycle of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. Both artists were very fond of Bechstein’s pianos, as were many of last century’s leading pianists, such as Wilhelm Kempff and Wilhelm Backhaus.
- Freddie Mercury of the British pop band Queen played a Bechstein piano on the best-selling album A Night at the Opera.
- The Beatles used a Bechstein concert grand piano for recording Hey Jude and the White Album tracks Dear Prudence, Honey Pie, Savoy Truffle and Martha My Dear, I Want You (She’s So Heavy) for the album Abbey Road, all at the Trident Studios.
- Elton John recorded “Your Song” and many other tracks on a handmade Bechstein concert-sized instrument that was over one hundred years old at the Trident Studios in London. Its classic sound was much sought after.