Schimmel pianos

[sanderling]

I have a Steinway 1098 vertical and want a grand.  Opinions of Schimmel pianos?
Thanks.

[thesixthsensemusic]

I work at a Schimmel dealership (amongst other brands like Petrof, Kawai and Yamaha) and I've found their pianos to be very good, not just when brand new but also (given proper care has been taken to keep it in good condition) after years of heavy use. They are mechanically sound as f***, and I'd not advise anyone against buying them, even when you will see that they are more expensive than let's say Petrof (cheaper labour in Czech Republic) or Yamaha (huge price advantages due to enormous production volume). Since I am not talking to you as a customer you can take my word as an enthousiastic amateur pianist rather than as a salesman

[sanderling]

Thank you for your response.  I've read in Larry Fine's books that the pianos are quality, well made, considered one of the best, but I hear little about them.  Can you help with estimating a fair price on a new 6' grand?  I've played it, as well as verticals, and it's nice.
sanderling

[thesixthsensemusic]

The 182t sells at around 35k in Euros excluding VAT/sales tax. In the US I found various dealers selling them around 55k $ through Google.

[hbofinger]

They are ok, but don't excite me. There is a common misunderstanding about them: They are marketet as "German Handcrafted", but are in fact Germany's mass produced piano. I was going to buy one new in the 1990s, actually talked to Larry Fine, and ended up getting a five year old Bosendorfer 200 for the same price. So look around...