Marshal, Grandeur, Irmler; Has anybody tried them?

[mitko]

Hello,
I wander if somebody can help me. I am trying to find some first-hand information regarding these two piano brands:
1. Marshal - Made in China (sold in Canada under the name "Grandeur") and
2. Irlmler - formerly made in Germany and now in Eastern Europe (Poland, I believe)
I have found their home page but no independent ratings or comments.
Thanks in adavance
Dimiter

[iumonito]

Hi Dimiter.

I own an Irmler 3/4 grand, built, I believe, in 2002 or 2003.  I bought it brand new, but having been significantly modified by my piano shop friends at Pianocraft, in Maryland, USA.  I have not played an Irmler out of the box, but I have played them at Piano craft both in the 1/2 and 3/4 size.

The piano is made in Kalisz, Poland.  It is a design by Bluthner.  My impression is that it is designed to compete with pianos at the level of quality of Yamaha and Baldwin.  In my opinion Irmler is a far superior instrument.  (Please note I think in Europe, at least for a time, they had some Irmlers made in China.  I have never played one of those and the ones available here in America, I believe, are all made in Poland).

They sustain beautifully and sing really well.  They have a sound somewhat more immediate than their Bluthner cousins and at least mine has a very wide palette of color.
The action in mine is spring-assisted and feels light without sacrificing control.  It is easy to play softly, and if you want to play loud, you can be heard clearly on the other side of the street two houses over.

Do a search on the board and you will find many specific comments I have made about my piano, including a string I started the first weeks I got it.

Delighted to talk about it,

P.S.  the recording does not make justice to the actual sound of the piano, which is much much richer, but if you feel so inclined, I posted a couple of miniatures recorded on my piano not so long ago.  Here are the links:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,12091.0.html

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,9563.0.html

[mitko]

Thank you very much for your information. Just wandering, why have you modified your Irmler?

Interesting, seems like nobody knows anything about the Marshal/Grandeur pianos.
Yours, Dimiter

[iumonito]

I actually did not ask for it to be modified, it was hot-rodded at Pianocraft before I ever played it.  It is a lovely instrument.

If you are truly curious you should reach out to Keith, who can tell you why they do what they do.  They really know how to bring a piano to its fullest potential.