Deciding on piano, between Bechstein, Schimmel or Bosendorfer

[ggedulin]

I live in San Diego, and have been to every local piano shop.

Write now im considering the Shimmel NWS 213, which i was quoted for $41,000.

Another store also has the Bechstein 190, its a 6'3" and the price is $33,000.

I really loved the sound of both pianos, both quite distinct but its hard to decide between them. I guess i am also concerned about getting a good price.

I also played two bosendorfers which were simply amazing. There is a consistency and complxity to their pianos which really appealed to me. If anyone has an idea what a good price on a model 185 or model 200 Bosendorfer might be that would be great.

The schimmel seems like a good deal, and ive read only good tihngs about it.

[gfiore]

 A good price for a Bösendorfer 185 in polished ebony around $68,000.  A 200 in polished ebony around $78,500.

[Floristan]

My rebuilder has had some Shimmels in his shop, and he says the workmanship is shoddy.  He showed me the underside of a Shimmel pinblock.  It was all splintered out and ragged looking, like they drilled too fast.  My rebuilder said he would never recommend the brand after what he's seen.

[kamike]

If you are serious in looking at a piano at this level, check to see if anyone in your area has a Bluthner, perhaps a model 4 (210 cm).  I doubt that the Schimmel is in the same upper tier as Bosendorfer or Bluthner with regard to build quality.  In my opinion there is a vast difference in sound and touch in all of these pianos.

[tompilk]

I prefer Bosendorfers in general, although each piano is individual... but schimmel are also really nice...
Ive never got what all the fuss about Bechsteins is... they dont seem special to me.
Tom

[ggedulin]

thanks for the comments.

As far as schoddy work on the Schimmel, i suppose anything is possible and im not a piano expert, however i had read that this special edition is hand selected by Nicolous Schimmel and whatever other marketing stuff they sell. So i would imagine that build quality on it would be pretty good.

Also gfiore, are those prices for the standard models? I forgot to mention these are the conservatory models.

thanks again

[gfiore]

 That's different.  The CS 185 must be a few years old. That  model is no longer available as a CS model. If so, around $48,000.
 There are only two models available in the CS series now, a 200 and 214.
 The CS 200 would be around $57,800

[ggedulin]

ok, thanks

It is a 6'1" so it must be the 185. I am discussing it with them now for about $48,000 which i suppose is a good price then?

Any comments on the resale potential for Schimmels and Bosendorfers.

thanks

[gfiore]

 Why worry about resale value? Most people keep these pianos as their final piano for the rest of their lives. Pianos are only investments in pleasure, not financial.

[cy_shuster]

This is almost the same thread as on Pianoworld.  Are you all posting both places, or is some process duplicating them?

--Cy--

[gfiore]

 Cy, he started it here, then took it over to PW.

[andyd]

"I also played two bosendorfers which were simply amazing"

Perhaps your heart has chosen, but you want reassurance that the Schimmel will do?
Personally I think the three B's, Bechstein, Bosendorfer and Bluthner are in a higher league for sound quality. 
I'm not a fan of the Bechstein sound generally though I like their action, so of the three you are choosing from, I'd go Bosendorfer.

Andy