Buy Schimmel
Used and new Schimmel uprights and grand pianos
Origin & History
Schimmel was founded in 1885 by Wilhelm Schimmel in Leipzig, and has been built in Braunschweig since 1932, making it one of the most established German piano makers. Since 2016 the Chinese manufacturer Pearl River holds the majority stake in Schimmel, while the Schimmel family remains a co-owner and runs day-to-day operations in Germany.
Positioning
Schimmel isn’t one price bracket but three: the “Schimmel” line from Braunschweig sits in the premium segment alongside Bechstein and Steinway. “Wilhelm Schimmel” is built entirely in Kalisz, Poland, and sits in the mid-range. “Fridolin Schimmel” is made in cooperation with Pearl River in China and positioned as an entry-level instrument.
Sound character
The Braunschweig line sounds balanced between warm and bright, the two more affordable lines offer a simpler, more direct sound.
What to check
Check the full name carefully before buying: “Schimmel”, “Wilhelm Schimmel” and “Fridolin Schimmel” refer to three different manufacturing locations and price brackets, not just different model sizes. The name is usually on the fallboard above the keys. What to check when buying used in general is covered in the piano buying guide.
Known series
Best known are the Konzert series from Braunschweig and the compact F116 and F121 models from the Fridolin line for smaller rooms.
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