Schimmel vs Yamaha on a rec studio

I'm a pianist and owner of a professional new recording studio. I have the chance to bring to the studio a second hand Schimmel (1,74 m long) but as jazz musicians (as well as classical and pop pianists) will be our clients I'm not sure this is the best choice. I've heard that jazz pianists prefer Yamaha over others because of the bright sound which Schimmel may lack. I'll appreciate your opinions. thanks,

Jazz pianists are individuals. What one prefers may not be the same as another. But in a musical combo, in a recording setting, it's always important to have an instrument that has an aggressive enough sound to through the mix, else you'll be putting tons of EQ on it trying to make it sound acceptable.

Since you already own the Schimmel, I think it makes a lot more sense to try and voice it up first, and see if that gives you a recordable sound.

A lot of combo recording pianos are voiced up extra bright. They sound much too bright in person, but just right through a mic.

If I were in your position, I would consider keeping 2 sets of shanks and hammers for the piano. One set very bright for combo work, and one set more balanced for solo work. You would need a very good tech, capable of hanging hammers in an excellent manner, then being able to change them in a reasonable period of time when the session demands a change of hammers. But this is a lot cheaper than buying another piano.

Regards,

Rick Clark

There are issues that you havn't considered such as *touch* and *maintenance*.I think that Yamaha wins hands down on both counts. Max.

That's an odd statement. Touch is a subjective issue, so while I think you're going to find far more people who like the touch of the Schimmel's Renner action than you will the shallow light touch of the Yamaha, both are just opinions. But as to maintenance, I'd like to know where you gathered your experience on this issue. I don't think you'll find anyone who has experience actually doing maintenance on these pianos that will agree with you.

I notice you failed to discuss tone. Lots of musicians will tell you that a Schimmel improves, and that a Yamaha is trashed after about 2 years, tonally. Of course, the standards and expectations of the musician, as well as his ability to discern tone quality will affect things. But all in all, I'd have a hard time choosing a Yamaha over a Schimmel. You can always brighten the Schimmel.

Larry Fletcher Dealer/technician

Doing the work of three men.....Larry, Curly, & Moe

I had the opportunity to play several Schimmels in the same showroom as some Yamahas. I also got to play various Baldwins, Pearl Rivers, and Chickerings.

My own opinion, after playing several grand models of each: (I played 5'7' and 6' models of each)

The Schimmels and Chickerings both felt and sounded very good to me. The Baldwins and Yamahas seemed somewhat harsh in tone

One German and 3 Asian pianos. It is too bad you couldn't try a Petrof, Bluthner or Bechstein. The Petrof is in the Baldwin price range for grands, the Bluthner and Bechstein are closer to the Steinway price point.

I would have liked to. I went out with every intention of playing as many different kinds of pianos as possible. Steinway prices are clearly out of my price range. Phew! They think very highly of their pianos!

Maybe in your opinion Max, and I am not so sure how educated it is(Are you a Technician?). Those Renner actions are so darn hard to maintain(not), that's probably why you find them in the best pianos. I don't think anyone would disagree that as a pianist, that the Renner action is the best. But maybe I am talking out of my A$% again.

In my humble opinion, I'd take a Schimmel over a boat load of Blahmaha's any day of the week.

~ Knute

Having played both over the weekend, I agree: Schimmel's touch, tone, feel, and responsiveness were significantly better, (or more suited to my personal tastes) than even the top Yamahas.

I think a very strong argument could be made that the Schimmel has a superior sound to the Yamaha, but is this really the case when we compare the actions?? Yamaha is reputed to have a very fine action design. Is it really inferior to the Renner action?? If you take a well regulated Yamaha action and put it up against a well regulated Renner action, is the Renner really superior???? What do the techs out there have to say about this??

Yamaha is reputed to have a very fine action design. Is it

I'm sure I'll get the name wrong, but the Yamaha C6? was possibly my favorite piano ever, both in terms of touch and sound. Like the other posters, I can't afford such an instrument, so .... what uprights are for sale?

I can't speak the to the Renner/Yamaha comparision, but when I was on the road I always enjoyed the consistency of Yamahas over everything else I got to play. The Bosendorfor (sic?) was great, but come on . . . .