🎹Schimmel Konzert K230 Tradition Grand Piano Review & Demo🎹
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2020
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#K230 #Tradition #Schimmel
Hello again, and welcome to another piano review at the Merriam Pianos TH-cam channel. Today, we’ll be coming at you from the Robert Lowrey piano showroom in downtown Toronto, and reviewing the Schimmel Konzert K230 grand piano.
The K230 is a 7’6”, semi-concert grand piano that is fully hand-crafted in Braunschweig Germany.
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Piano Overview:
The K230 is part of Schimmel’s Konzert line of pianos, which is the top quality line that they manufacture. The entire Konzert series underwent extensive redesigns over the last several years, incorporating several new design techniques and upgrades to improve sustain, projection and overall tonal colour.
Piano Tone:
As you play this piano, one of the very interesting sonic effects you’ll notice is the impression of distinct layers of tone from each region that you play. There’s almost a three dimensional aspect with how the sound constructs itself here, which is a super unique feature.
There’s not as much upper colour as you might get out another German grand, such as the C. Bechstein C232 where there’s more colour, whereas the Schimmel has a washier, ethereal sort of tone.
The bass on the K230 is absolutely stunning, and it’s not hyperbole for me to say that it beats out many 9ft concert grands that I’ve played. The clarity, projection and overall energy is truly amazing.
Piano Features:
What are some of the design aspects that contribute to the overall tonal profile of this piano? One of the things that all of the pianos from the Konzert series have in common are extra large soundboards. My impression is that for the length of the instrument, the Konzert series pianos must have some of the largest soundboard areas in the entire industry. The wide-tail design of course contributes to this, but the front of the instrument is also angled out to the side to accommodate the larger soundboard.
Another aspect that contributes to the excellent clarity in the bass register is the approach to how the bass strings are bridged. The bridges are vertically laminated, except for the bass register which is a solid piece of wood that is not connected to the mid range bridge like in most pianos, which allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely.
As we move up to the mid-range and treble, another design feature worth highlighting is the presence of tunable front and rear duplex scales. Tunable duplex is quite rare within the industry, and the Konzert series pianos are some of the only pianos with tunable front and rear duplex. This feature gives the tone more precision, and almost a sense of air surrounding the tone.
One last thing worth noting; the left side rim on this piano is probably the thickest rim I’ve ever seen, even thicker than the Mason & Hamlin rims which are well known in the industry for their incredibly thick rims.
Piano Action:
Moving onto the action, another great feature of the Konzert series instrument is the presence of a full concert length key-action in every single grand of the series, regardless of the size. For high level players focused on control, a concert grand action is going to deliver this in spades.
The action is also of course very well regulated out of the box, and a concert grand action is just so fun to play. For anyone focused on touch who doesn’t have the space or budget to consider a 9 foot, I’d highly recommend trying something from the Schimmel Konzert series.
Conclusion:
Considering the price, the Schimmel Konzert series pianos along with Shigeru Kawai, are without a doubt some of the highest value instruments available. The total package of what you’re getting for the price is staggering.
We hope you enjoyed this video, thanks for watching!
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The Schimmel K230 is absolutely my favorite piano, ever. I have been playing diligently for 52 years, now.
One year at NAMM, I think about 2013, Nicholas Schimmel the owner attended, and introduced his new special signature piano. It was a Grand between 6' and 7' , and it had an action like butter and a divine sound all around - one of the best pianos I had ever played. When I came back in the afternoon to play it again, there was a note on it that it had been sold on the spot, to someone visiting the show!
Thank you for sharing this piano with us. Stu, your skill, at what I assume to be some incredible improvisation, brings out the depths of capability of this and the other instruments you play. You have a unique talent. I love the design of this piano and thank you for explaining the technical features of it. Remarkable indeed and I have to agree that it sounds as good as many full concert grands. The tunable duplex scaling in the treble along with the tri-string break, widening case design and full length action really take this one to another level of WOW. Best Channel for piano enthusiasts of all description on the "net". Thanks again.
Thanks Stu for another great review. I had always adored Schimmels but never knew their innovative vision. I will definitely hop in to my usual music store to have a closer look and try them for myself.
This is what a Piano should sound like! Just perfection!
Schimmel pianos have many unique features. I played the K175 and K195 in my search for my lifetime piano and my view was that the K195 was in a different class to the K175. Can you clarify about the actions? I think there is one action for up to the K195 and the full concert action for above that or maybe for the K230 and the concert grand. Maybe the key sticks are all concert length but the hammers have got to be different weights and lighter on the shorter pianos?
For a classical repertoire I think the K195 beats the Shigeru SK3L but for a wider range of music including modern, jazz and pop the Shigeru is better and the Yamaha CF4 is absolutely outstanding for anything post Listz although it’s sadly overpriced compared to the other 2. All my own subject I’ve opinion of course.
Size is a factor as well and that K195 is considerably bigger and more powerful than a 6’1” or 6’2” piano so that’s a factor to bear in mind.
Another great video Stu. Keep ‘em coming! One day you’re playing a K230 and the next you’re playing a P125! Crazy! 😎🎹👌
Mr. Steve hope you are doing good. You are the best person to review for pianos. It’s always a fun to listening your playing and the way you explains in details about the piano which is so easy to understand about the instruments quality and character. As I wrote before also I never miss any of you video. It’s so useful to me as I work with same industry where we don’t have choice to explore all this brands. This piano sounds really fabulous, sound so fat it has totally different character. Thank you so much 😊
God damn listening to that bass with headphones on at 9mins in was crazy..
My partner has an old Bosendorfer that's the same size as this, it has it's problems but I've never heard it be matched in its bass tone... This Schimmel however, has it beat... it sounds absolutely enormous, love it. I can't imagine what that's like in person.
I loved that massive bass!!! A dream of an instrument!!! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been lucky enough to have had a k195 for a year now, and going back to this review; you really nail the aesthetic of this line. The bass is nailed down like a 2 x 4. The range that is an octave above middle c has the sweetest pp i’ve ever heard. When you dig in, the whole instrument resonates with precision. It’s a phenomenal experience. Great review as always.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We're glad you enjoyed the review! Congratulations on your K195! The Schimmel Konzert grands are truly magical instruments with virtually unparalleled tone and expressivity. I'm very happy to hear that you are thoroughly enjoying it. Thanks for tuning in and supporting our channel! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hey Brent, You bet and keep up with the great content. I watch it all!
The upper register has a beautiful tone!
„Konzert with a K and a Z, it‘s very fancy.“ ☺️🇩🇪
I had the opportunity to play a K195 in SLC pre-covid and am still dreaming of trading my Boston GP163 in the future. Loved playing the Schimmel vs trading up to a Steinway model A which is the option I have with the dealership here.
The Schimmel Konzert series are absolutely gorgeous instruments! They are unquestionably amongst the finest grand pianos in the world. I am so happy that you discovered this line and were able to experience their immense musicality in person. :)
I'm generally not fan of Schimmel but this one is changing my mind. Such clarity and rich bass.
I've never heard of someone who isn't a fan of Schimmel
@@FryChicken Uncivilised barbarians exist.
(I am joking of course, but me personally I always really liked the "Schimmel Sound", or more accurately the sound of the Schimmels I have listened to/played on)
Bösendorfer Concert Grand 290 Imperial ... Yeah. Another dream piano!!! Come on, lotto win!!!!!!!!!!!
I played a 100-ish year old Blüthner 6'3" (?) grand a few times. BADASS!!! Individually tied off strings. (I don't know the terminoligy, but each string is individually tied off. It had the most colorful and "individually" personal tonal colorations of any piano I have played.
Come on, lotto win!!!
LOL
Haha we've got our fingers and toes crossed for you! Best of luck my friend! :)
Had to come back to this vid. I do completely love the sound of a K230. I have played a few of them and they responded perfectly to my techniques and musical aesthetics.
I have been playing a wonderful 1975 K. Kawai KG-3 6'1" piano for many decades.
I am so hoping my rare lotto ticket purchase will afford me a Schimmel K230...
Oh, btw... I more recently broke the next to highest B string... it must have wished to be in the (broken) company of it's C sibling?
The K230 is a truly magical instrument with virtually unparalleled expressivity! With that said, the Kawai KG3 grands are also lovely instruments. My fingers are crossed for you that the lotto ticket pays off for you! ;)
Awesome review! Stu are there difference between this model and Schimmel K175, besides the size?
I want to try both Shigeru and Schimmel and see how they differ 🤩. Would you say the Shigeru action feels heavier than the Schimmel Konzert?
Rémi S Hi. I played all these pianos and found that they are very individual as they’re hand-made. On the ones I tried, I found the Schimmel actions heavier than the Shigeru SK3L - even the K175 but you’ll have to play them yourself.
If you have the budget and space for a K195 compare it to a Shigeru SK5L as a better comparison than an SK3.
How does it compare with shigeru Kawai sk7?
Roland vs Kawai vs Yamaha? Which brand should I go for, in digital pianos? Please suggest! My preferred models are Roland RP 302, Kawai KDP 110, Yamaha YDP 144. Which brand is better overall in terms of sound, touch, action and value for money?
I don't understand how you have a fixed fulcrum rather than individual fulcrum for each string on the tunable duplex part of the strings. I guess it doesn't matter, but who knows.
It may be a matter of that level of detail not having a major impact on the musical effect of the duplex scaling. That is a good question though! :)
To me, this instruments shouts out: play Chopin, Debussy, and Brahms on me!
I can certainly understand that sentiment! :)
I felt the same.
You are using mics that are too sensitive to the low frequencies, or need to lower the gain on the mics. Bass notes are distorting - overdriving - the mics --- OR the track was mishandled in post.
Distortion will not do any piano justice. Maybe the positioning of the mics could eliminate the distortion. Who knows? I always check the upper threshold by playing some huge sustained chords up and down the piano. Back off the mic gain and mix it up post to -2dB. No distortion.
Anyway, for me... it's the best piano in the world. I have owned a 1975 Kawaii KG3 for many years. It has "heavy action", but is a very nice practice piano with a solid, pleasant sound. I recently broke the next to highest C string, while playing Chopin's 3rd Ballade (Ab Major). I hope to win the Lotto soon and own a Schimmel KG3.
Price new...?
Specs need to include the sq. in. or sq. cm. of the soundboard. Personally I prefer a straight base bridge as compared to the highly curved bass bridges of Asian pianos. Will manufactures figure out how to do a carbon fiber bridge and sound board? I don't care for the sound of the bass on this piano as it comes through my laptop which admitedly has extremely small speakers.
Contact Richard Dain of Hurstwood farm piano studios. Steingraeber have been using his carbon bridge snd sound board for over a decade
0:25 It's German; but I guess German is a fancy language hah
I would certainly agree with that! There is something very aesthetically pleasing about the "Konzert" spellings opposed. :)
@@MerriamPianos Um, both Mandarin and written Chinese are esthetically pleasing. Indeed, most Chinese have perfect pitch because the spoken language requires an ear for the various tones of the same sound to differentiate the specific words. Which is why you see so many Chinese in European orchestras, especially in the string sections.
My suggestion. I think you should play more classical pieces or more veriety of selection instead of Jazzy music exclusively. After watching all the GX2 reivews from Meriam, I still have no idea how it sounds like for classical pieces that I am still learning. Its not very helpful for me to make piano purchase decision. Other than that, I love your review and music.
I wish more people played jazz on piano reviews/showcases. Hearing the same old classical repertoire gets incredibly boring and frankly, 99% of the time it's utterly devoid of creative flair. However, I do agree with you that it would be interesting to hear different genres, and I think Stu is the right man for that. Maybe classical, pop or west coast? To go along with the awesome jazz playing.
I agree with Jerry Fan. Jazz music is not precisely the best type of music for evaluation the sound of a Grand Piano. Turn to classical music, please.
forgo to say hat they are chinese now. I would say that that one you have is newer than 2016
The Fridolin Schimmel entry line pianos are made in China, but the Wilhelm Schimmel pianos are still polish made and the Schimmel branded pianos are still fully manufactured in Germany.
Made in Germany ✅ perceived sound quality ✅ Owned by Chinese company (China) ❌ . Would give me pause... If I were buying...
Me too, but they are still made in Germany by Germans with Chinese financial support (new tools?). It's a damn shame Schimmel is owned by the Chinese and foreshadows the future.
Let me know when you've paused sufficiently long enough to resolve your concerns to then make a purchase of a K230. But I forgot; you're not in any case buying. So, this is all hypothetical.
I agree with Jerry Fan. Jazz music is not precisely the best type of music for evaluation the sound of a Grand Piano. Turn to classical music, please.