Is it normal for a grand (Schimmel Classic) to not come with caster wheels? All pictures I've seen have caster wheels but the seller says it didn't come with one.

Does it matter/make a difference that there aren't any?

Piano wheels are removed if the piano is used on a piano dolly. (Image from the Vanda King catalog)



Of course, they could have been removed for reasons other than this, but this is the most common! The piano will be too low without the wheels unless it's on a dolly.

So, if it's missing wheels, it's an indicator that this piano may have been used on stage, commercially (in a recording studio), etc.

What part would be too low? The pedals? I played it and the pedals didn't seem any lower than other pianos; I actually didn't realize that they were missing while I was test driving the instrument. Wasn't till I got home and put more thought into purchasing it and looked at other pictures of the same model.

Well, if the piano didn't seem "low" then there's something else going on! My theory may be wrong

Most piano legs are not long enough for the pedal lyre to clear the floor if the casters are not there. The piano will rest on two legs and the lyre.

There are piano designs without casters. You may have one.

Is this a "new" Schimmel Classic? What size is it? I am pretty sure it is suppose to have casters, unless it is a special order or has been altered. As mentioned, if altered- I would think the height would have had to been addressed. Otherwise, the lyre would be sitting on the floor, or very near it.

You can PM Sam- user name- PianoWorksATL
He will more than likely be able to give you the answer.

Seems odd that the salesperson didn't offer an explanation. It's a reasonable question.

It's a private sale of a ~10y/o 6ft grand. The seller said it did not come with wheels but I posted here because I've never seen one without caster wheels unless it was taken off to be put on a dolly. Didn't know special order ones may not come with wheels; it was shipped from Germany and the legs look different from most so maybe this was the case.

Just wanted to know if it's a red flag / not possible for this to be true as I'm putting down a deposit. A tech will be inspecting it next week.

If it is a fancy case style, it may not have had castors originally. Often a French Provincial or Louis case will not have castors. I think it's a historical reference to something Marie-Antoinette once said...

At my local Steinway dealer, they have a 9' Mason-Hamlin concert grand. It is on a dolly, which I believe is common with such big pianos and no casters. Probably lost years ago when they put the piano on the dolly so it could be easily moved about. If I purchased it, I would want the casters, but I was told they would be very expensive. Does anyone know how much? There must be other people facing this situation.