SCHIMMEL PIANOS | Made in Braunschweig, Germany | AZ Piano
Pre-owned Schimmel pianos in Phoenix, Arizona
Schimmel is a German piano maker founded in Leipzig in 1885. Its top Konzert and Classic grand and upright pianos are built in Braunschweig, Germany, and a well-kept Schimmel can give decades of music-making, which makes it a strong choice on the pre-owned market.
AZ Piano offers pre-owned Schimmel grand and upright pianos. Play them in our Phoenix showroom or browse current inventory, with pricing, online.
Schimmel at a glance
- Founded
- May 2, 1885, by Wilhelm Schimmel in Leipzig, Germany
- Home today
- Braunschweig, Germany
- Made in Germany
- Konzert (K) and Classic (C) lines
- Made elsewhere
- Wilhelm Schimmel (Poland), Fridolin Schimmel (China)
- Production
- About 2,500 uprights and 500 grands a year
- Ownership
- Pearl River Piano Group majority since 2016; Schimmel family remains a shareholder
- Recognition
- More than 40 awards, by the company's count
- Where to play one in Arizona
- AZ Piano showroom, Phoenix (602-437-8445)
Four generations of German piano making
Trained as a carpenter, Wilhelm Schimmel learned piano making in Leipzig and built his first piano in his own workshop there in May 1885. The business grew quickly, later settled in Braunschweig, and was run by four generations of the Schimmel family.
Schimmel was one of the few German makers to rebound strongly after the Second World War, and by the late 1950s it was the best-selling German piano. Known for innovation in both design and construction, it remains one of Europe's most prolific piano makers.
In 2016 the Pearl River Piano Group bought a majority stake, with the Schimmel family remaining shareholders. The Konzert and Classic pianos are still made in Braunschweig, and Schimmel pianos are known for a clear, brilliant tone, a precise, responsive touch and sturdy German construction.
- 1885Wilhelm Schimmel builds his first piano in Leipzig.
- 1950sSchimmel becomes the best-selling German piano.
- 2009A financial crisis leads to restructuring, and production continues.
- 2016Pearl River takes a majority stake; the family remains shareholders.
- TodayKonzert and Classic pianos are still built in Braunschweig.
How to tell which Schimmel you're looking at
For a pre-owned Schimmel, the single most important question is which line it is and where it was made, because that drives both quality and price. The model number usually tells you.
On uprights, the number is the height: a C121 is a Classic upright about 48" tall. Many older Braunschweig-built grands carry a number followed by a letter, such as 174T; the number is still the length in centimeters.
Konzert
Made in Braunschweig, GermanySchimmel's highest line. Konzert uprights such as the K122, K125 and K132 use triplex scaling and are designed to be as much like a grand as possible.
Classic
Made in Braunschweig, GermanyTime-tested, traditional Schimmel designs: solid, high-quality German pianos without every refinement of the Konzert line.
Wilhelm Schimmel
Assembled in Kalisz, PolandA more affordable line based on the Classic designs, with some of the same components, including Renner actions. Formerly sold as Vogel.
Fridolin Schimmel
Made in China by Pearl RiverThe entry-level line, now built at Pearl River's factory; older Fridolin pianos were made by Young Chang.
What to check on any used Schimmel
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Confirm the line and origin
Check the model number and markings on the fallboard and plate, so you know whether it's a German-made Konzert or Classic or one of the lines built abroad.
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Find the age
The serial number dates the piano. Ask us, and we'll tell you the year it was built.
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Look at the soundboard
A healthy soundboard keeps its slight arch, or crown. Look for cracks or loose ribs, and listen for sustain and even tone across the keyboard.
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Test tuning stability
A piano that holds its tuning has a sound pinblock. Ask when it was last tuned and how it has held, especially important in Arizona's dry climate.
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Play every key
Check the action and hammers for even touch, quick repetition and no sticking keys, and look at hammer felt for deep grooves.
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Ask about its history
Ask what service, regulation or repairs the piano has had, and what's included with your purchase.
Inside the Schimmel workshop
Schimmel's German pianos are built in Braunschweig by craftspeople whose skills have developed over generations. The best way to judge a pre-owned Schimmel is to play it yourself: visit our Phoenix showroom and compare it with other grands and uprights side by side.
Buying a pre-owned Schimmel at AZ Piano
Looking for a used Schimmel piano in Arizona? Browse our pre-owned Schimmel grand and upright pianos with current pricing online, or play them in our Phoenix showroom. Buying a piano is a big decision, and our staff will walk you through each instrument's line, age and condition so you can choose with confidence.
Schimmel piano questions
Are Schimmel pianos made in Germany?
Schimmel's Konzert and Classic pianos are made in Braunschweig, Germany. The more affordable Wilhelm Schimmel line is assembled in Kalisz, Poland, and the entry-level Fridolin Schimmel line is made in China by Pearl River. On a pre-owned piano, the model number and markings tell you which it is.
Are Schimmel pianos good?
Yes. Schimmel is one of Germany's best-known piano makers, and its German-made Konzert and Classic pianos are highly regarded for their clear tone, precise touch and durable construction. The Wilhelm and Fridolin lines are good pianos for their price. As with any used piano, condition matters as much as the name.
Who owns Schimmel pianos?
Since 2016 the Pearl River Piano Group has held a majority stake in Schimmel, with the Schimmel family remaining shareholders. Konzert and Classic production continues in Braunschweig.
What does a Schimmel model number mean?
The letter usually indicates the line (K for Konzert, C for Classic, W for Wilhelm Schimmel, F for Fridolin Schimmel), and the number is the size in centimeters: length on a grand, height on an upright. A K189 is a 189 cm Konzert grand.
How can I tell how old a used Schimmel is?
The serial number identifies the year it was built. Give us the serial number of any Schimmel in our inventory and we'll tell you its age.
Where can I buy a used Schimmel piano in Arizona?
AZ Piano in Phoenix offers pre-owned Schimmel grand and upright pianos. Call 602-437-8445 to schedule a visit, or browse used Schimmel grands and uprights online.
Can I buy a used Schimmel online from AZ Piano?
Yes. Our pre-owned Schimmel pianos are listed with pricing on azpiano.com. Because every used piano is different, we encourage you to play it in our showroom or call with questions before you buy.