Silbermann showed Johann Sebastian Bach special of his previous instruments in the 1730s, but Bach did not like it at that time, claiming that the higher notes were too soft to allow a full dynamic range. Although this earned him some animosity from Silbermann, the criticism was apparently heeded. Bach did approve of a later instrument he saw in 1747, and even served as an agent in selling Silbermann's pianos.
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Square pianos were built in big league numbers through the 1840s in Europe and the 1890s in America, and saw the most visible changes of any type of piano: the celebrated immovable framed over strung squares manufactured by Steinway & Sons were added than two and a half times the size of Zumpe's wood framed instruments from a duration before
- Their overwhelming popularity was due to inexpensive construction and price, although their performance and tone were often narrow by simple actions and closely spaced strings.