Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Schimmel vs Yamaha

PianoBroker, how do I know if it's a fake. I have the serial number - 302.633.

The lid is substantially heavier than the Yamaha. It's solid wood. I checked the inside, the paddings (I don't know what you call those) look like it's in good condition - not much use. And, the store has a 10 year warannty policy.

$4200 as for resale value on a newer 121 Schimmel is an easy sell even if white

There's a Schimmel about that size in a small concert venue not far from me which always amazes me every time I hear it. It's in a red-brown wood and sounds so rich and crisp. I can't think of any other piano I've heard in that size range that sounds so good to me. I don't usually bother to record concerts done on uprights but I think I'll make an exception next time and post a little something.

Bottom line is if that Schimmel looks and sounds great to you, and it checks out, go for it.

Howard

Oh... I forgot to mention that I was told that the smaller Schimmel (48") actually has longer "strings" (what do you call those??) than the bigger Yamaha (50"). The reason being that the Schimmel has a greater degree of angling the "strings"; thus making them longer and hence producing deeper sound.

Then, what exactly is the measurement - 48", 50", 52"? The vertical height of the exterior casing?

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-wentium

If I play on a white piano, do I also have to dress like Liberace?

Slap! Slap! (to my face) Pay attention to the sound of the piano! Forget the color...

How about this for an argument? White doesn't show the dirt as much and doesn't need a carwash as often.

Sorry Wentium. I vented. Now I'm ok with a white piano.

My daughter asked me (when she was seven) if I could bring home a pink piano. I told her nobody made pink pianos and she said right back, "But Mr. Michael (head finisher at Cunningham) could make ANY piano pink, Daddy."

Thanks alot Mike - thank goodness she outgrew that one.

My vote is for the Schimmel. It is a highly-regarded instrument, and my guess is that you fell in love with it for a reason. And I'll bet it looks great in white.

I once "babysat" a friend's Kawai grand in my home for about a year. It felt and sounded wonderful, and I was sad to see it go. Its color? Baby blue. My friend had bought it from a business that was redecorating their piano bar. He paid very little, because he was in the right place at the right time. In case you are curious, they weren't redecorating because of not liking the color of the piano--a runaway car had crashed into the place, so they had to rebuild anyway!

Spending all that time with a really nice-sounding baby blue piano left me in a frame of mind where I would probably expect the next piano I see in that color to be good as well!

After all that, white seems reasonably normal in comparison.

paukenspieler

Even if all votes are in and the majority vote for the Schimmel you should still have an independent technician take a look at both pianos.
They are in the same store, have the tech inspect both and give you his opinion. Go back and read Jeff Bauer's post. He gives good advice.
Both are quality, production built pianos. If the tech gives a thumbs up on either, make your choice and stick to it.

Mike

Agreed with Jeff's advice as well regarding having a tech inspect it-- it's a lot of money and both instruments are used.

You should pay less attention to the name on the fallboard [and what others say except an independent tech] and focus on the sound and feel of the piano.

What I'm writing below is in the interest of providing accurate information, and not necessarily to influence your decision--
[both are potentially nice pianos]

It is being suggested by a couple of people here that both makes are high-production/mass-produced instruments. Having recently toured the Schimmel factory, I can say that isn't the case in Germany. There were only two parts of the process where hand labor wasn't being used extensively: trimming the rim assemblies and cutting the bridges [CNC machine]. Everything else moved quite slowly and carefully. A couple of examples on my tour: one man cut the keyboards in the factory, and I seem to recall only one or two women doing the initial upright action regulations; only one man was stringing the grand pianos during my tour. You don't see an "assembly line" of 20 people hurriedly doing the same task in Braunschweig. Based on my memory of a NY Steinway factory tour in 1999, I would say things moved at an even more relaxed pace at Schimmel... though the layouts of the respective factories are so markedly different it may be hard to tell!

The Schimmel s/n is of 1991 It just aged 4 years in 2 days. At this rate it will be an antique in about a month Still a good buy!

I've just been going almost exactly the same decision-making process. The difference is that I'm looking at a new Yamaha or Schimmel.

My entirely personal preference from playing both of them a few times is to go for the Schimmel. This was because of the softer tone of the Schimmel and I found the touch to be slightly lighter and capable of a broader dynamic range. Decision all the more agonising because in Singapore, the Schimmel is basically twice the price...

I totally agree an independent tech is a good idea. Except that the store owner/sales is the independent tech. I think he would be offended if I were to bring in another tech. He is actually a piano tuner turned piano seller. He inspects and tunes every single piano in the store. And, I was referred to him by a piano teacher. That's more the reason for concern for his preference over the cheaper (less profitable) Yamaha.

The store comes with a 10-year warranty. What can really go wrong with a piano?

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-wentium

It just dawned on me what dealer you are working with. I've known him for many years and know why you are able to get such an exceptional deal from him. He is a very reputable and I have alot of respect for him. I bought my very first Steinway grand from him many years ago. He is probably the one retail dealer I would personally recommend in that he has great deals He has sources in finding great pianos and sells at wholesale prices. He comes from a 3rd generation piano family and he definitely knows his stuff. He was strictly wholesale for many years but now has a retail outlet but still sells at wholesale prices.How can you beat that!
Its ok to toot somebody elses horn !

Has the owner given you reason for his suggestion that you go with the Yamaha?
What gives you "concern" that the teacher reccomended him and he is steering you toward the Yamaha? Have you looked at other stores?

If the owner of the store is steering you toward a less expensive piano it does lead to ask; Why?

If you like the Schimmel best and the owner can give you no good reason not to buy the Schimmel(the piano won't hold a tune, the hammers are worn out, etc.) than buy the Schimmel.

Sounds to me like you need an honest meeting with the owner, looking over the pianos (inside and out) and coming to your own conclussion.

Mike

pianobroker,

"The Schimmel s/n is of 1991 It just aged 4 years in 2 days. At this rate it will be an antique in about a month Still a good buy!"

I'm not sure what you mean by aged 4yrs in 2 days? Is that a good thing or a bad thing???

Based on the S/N, is this a model 121? I was told that "Crown" is the deluxe series of Schimmel; just like "UX-" is the concert quality level of Yamaha.

The owner thinks the Yamaha sounds more pure and stable which is better for a piano student as I had sugguested I would eventually get back into playing.

I haven't played for 15-20yrs. I really can't remember how it was like to be a "student". I just assumed that the purer sound is better for the practice drills? Am I totally off the boat?

Frankly, I can barely make out some of the pieces I used to play. The owner himself is not a master either. He is not as rusty as me; but somewhat inconsistent. It was kinda tough.

I checked a few piano city and another local store. I didn't really see anything I like with my budget.

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same guy. I think he is only a 1st generation tuner. And, the store is brand new; still have a grand opening sign.

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-wentium

Buy the Schimmel and get a slipcover.

Like they do on the cable TV home design shows.

The best upright I have ever played was the Schimmel 125 (obviously the 132 would be better, but I wasn't able to play it.) The Yahamas I have played were not even close.

Great rich sound, good deep bass, great touch. If I were have gotten an upright, it would have been a Schimmel. I ended up getting a small Petrof grand for near the same price.

Another vote for the Schimmel here. I have a 1992 Schimmel 120 upright. This must be very similar. I have never heard of them producing a 121 but could be wrong. I am a pianist and piano teacher and can tell you it is not just a piece of furniture!

Swampwiz, I recently played the 125 alongside the 132. The bigger one was very loud and bright and to be honest a bit of a brute. I felt the 125 was the better instrument (only my opinion of course).

If I were in this position I would not buy either instrument. They are both with shorter strings than the 52" uprights. I believe this is paramount if you want a good tone and sound.

The Yamaha model U3 I think is 52" or 53" and a friend of mine has recently bought one and is very pleased with it. I had a Pleyel 131cms for a short time and it too was a lovely tone.

As for colour, if its polyester and white, it should repaint black quite easily. I should get the shop to do this in with the price ?

Yes, the Yamaha's are bright and that is not a problem for most people all things equal otherwise.

Hope this is of use to you.

Alan (swingal)

PS, the height is usually measured from the casing at the back, not from the floor. 52" or more, important so I'm told.

I don't agree with the 'size is everything' philosophy. Bigger is not always better and it depends on what sound you are after. As I said, the Schimmel 125 I played sounded more musical to me than the larger 132. In another store I played a Bluthner A and B. Both fantastic pianos but I preferred the more subtle tone of the A. I play a Yamaha U3 at the school where I work. It is nice but not a patch on my smaller Schimmel. It sounds thin and tinny in comparison.

In the original post wentium said they liked the sound of the Schimmel better so it would seem like the right choice to me. You will find the action can cope with anything you would ever want to play on it.