Schimmel Piano – German Manufacture | Musik Ebert – Musik-Ebert Gmbh

Anyone looking for a Schimmel piano is rarely just looking for an instrument to practise on – but for a sound that lasts for decades. Schimmel is one of the best-known German piano manufacturers, and a new Schimmel piano is a decision in favour of German craftsmanship, a distinctive, carrying tone, and build quality you can hear at the touch and in the soundboard.

This article places the brand in context: where Schimmel comes from, how the series differ, what shapes the sound, and who a Schimmel in the premium segment is really right for.

01A German manufactory since 1885

Wilhelm Schimmel opened his first workshop in Leipzig in 1885. After the Second World War, the family made a fresh start in Braunschweig – where the Konzert and Classic instruments are still built today. Over four generations, Schimmel has become one of the most-played German piano brands.

An acoustic piano consists of several thousand individual parts, and a large share of them are fitted, regulated and voiced by hand in the manufactory. It is precisely this hand work – on the soundboard, the action and the voicing of the hammers – that makes a hand-built piano sound and play differently from a pure mass-production instrument.

02The Schimmel series at a glance

Schimmel grades its range across several series – from the entry into the brand to the premium piano hand-built in Braunschweig. What matters is not only the price, but where and with what depth of craftsmanship the instrument is built.

In the Musik Ebert online shop you will find the new Schimmel Classic instruments in the Tradition and Modern versions, each also available with the Twin Tone silent system for quiet practice through headphones.

Schimmel series – classified by build and ambition
Series	Built in	Size / type	Right for
Konzert	Braunschweig, manufactory	Large uprights & grands	Highest ambition, concert and studio level
Classic	Braunschweig, manufactory	Uprights ~116–125 cm	Discerning buyers, German hand-built tone
Wilhelm Schimmel	Kalisz (Poland), Schimmel design	Uprights & grands	Entry to the brand with Schimmel scale design
Fridolin	Entry line to Schimmel design	Uprights	Most affordable way into the brand

03What shapes the sound: soundboard, scale design and voicing

A Schimmel's tonal character is no accident. The soundboard – usually made of carefully selected spruce – is the vibrating heart of the instrument; its crown and finishing determine how carrying and overtone-rich the tone becomes. The scale design, the considered arrangement and length of the strings, ensures a balanced relationship between bass foundation and singing treble.

Then there is the voicing of the hammers: in the manufactory, each hammer head is worked so that the tone responds evenly from quiet pianissimo to powerful forte. A new Schimmel Classic piano such as the Schimmel Classic C 116 Tradition – schwarz poliert shows this typically German tonal character – clear and warm at the same time.

Schimmel Classic C 116 Tradition – schwarz poliert

View product →

Schimmel Classic C 121 Tradition – schwarz poliert

View product →

04Tradition or Modern – and the silent system

Within the Classic series, Schimmel distinguishes the Tradition and Modern lines. Tradition stands for classic, timeless cabinet design; Modern goes for a reduced, clean-lined look. Tonally, both are at the same manufactory level – the choice is mainly a question of how it looks in the room.

If you want to practise at night or alongside others, choose a version with the Twin Tone silent system: the acoustic piano stays unchanged, but can be muted and played through headphones. The Schimmel Classic C 116 Modern – schwarz poliert mit Twin Tone Silent System combines the modern cabinet with this flexibility.

Schimmel Classic C 116 Modern – schwarz poliert

View product →

Schimmel Classic C 116 Modern – schwarz poliert mit Twin Tone Silent System

View product →

05Who a Schimmel is right for

A new Schimmel Classic piano sits in the premium segment – it is aimed at buyers who are looking for an instrument for decades, who value German hand-built manufacture and who prefer a carrying, nuanced sound over a compromise. For advanced players, families with a long-term musical perspective, and anyone who sees an acoustic piano as a lasting purchase, Schimmel is an obvious choice.

For the brand's sound at a gentler entry price, look to the Wilhelm Schimmel or Fridolin lines. The Klaviere category gives an overview of the whole acoustic piano range – Schimmel and other premium brands.

A Schimmel piano is a decision in favour of German manufacturing tradition and a sound that grows over the years. The next step is to compare the series and versions at your own pace – Tradition or Modern, with or without the silent system.

Frequently asked questions

Where are Schimmel pianos built?

The Konzert and Classic series are built in the Schimmel manufactory in Braunschweig. The Wilhelm Schimmel entry line is built in Kalisz, Poland, to Schimmel's design; the Fridolin line is the most affordable way into the brand.

What sets a Schimmel piano apart from a mass-production instrument?

A large share of the build – soundboard, action regulation and hammer voicing – is done by hand in the manufactory. That shapes a carrying, overtone-rich sound with an even response from pianissimo to forte.

What do the Classic lines Tradition and Modern mean?

Both are at the same manufactory tonal level. Tradition has a classic cabinet design, Modern a reduced, clean-lined look. The choice mainly comes down to the room and furnishing style.

Can I play a Schimmel piano quietly through headphones?

Yes. Several Classic models are available with the Twin Tone silent system. The acoustic piano stays fully functional, but can be muted and played through headphones – ideal for late practice times.