Piano, and organ maker, and music seller at Compton Street, Soho. (fl. before 1770-1798) It is believed that Adam Beyer may have been making pianos for other makers or dealers from 1768. Beyer was born in England in 1729 and was not an immigrant as suggested by some reference books on piano makers. He married Ann Lewis in 1760. In 1770 Beyer was recorded as an organ builder and had an apprentice, Thomas Martin. Beyer died in 1804. Lorence Beyer, pianoforte maker is also listed at the same address. Many of his instruments were sold to the gentry and aristocracy although the cases were normally fairly plain and without decoration. He continued to use trestle stands for his instruments rather than the “French stand” until much later than other makers. Beyer was an important early maker of square pianos taking the quality of manufacture to a higher level of craftsmanship. He may have been the first maker of square pianos to use an internal cover in the instrument that is believed to act as a tone moderator. He also used pedals on some instruments and in particular a pedal, shaped like a hockey stick, for a lid swell where this device was fitted. Beyer made over 900 square pianos.