Schimmel K125 Upright Piano

Product Overview

Despite Schimmel’s rich history of high-quality pianos, the conversation regarding the absolute top German uprights was usually reserved for C. Bechstein, Bluthner, and Steingraeber. The Schimmel Family sought to convincingly enter this conversation, and with a substantial investment of capital into sophisticated computer design software and brand new CNC machinery, and it’s now fair to say they have with their top quality Konzert series – thoroughly redesigned and not based on what had come before, with virtually all features from the largest models making their way into the smaller models.

The upright line consists of three models, with the 49” K125 coming in as the middle option – larger than the K122, but not as imposing as the K132. Designed to replicate the grand piano experience as much as possible, the K125 outplays the vast majority of other 49” upright pianos currently on the market.

With a crystal clear treble, and a booming bass register mimicking that of a small grand, the K125 offers a musical experience that will be shocking to those who have only encountered a Japanese professionally sized piano in a showroom up to this point.

A German piano through and through, combining traditional handcraftsmanship in Braunschweig with innovative, contemporary design features, such as triplex scaling and extra-long key-sticks (appropriated from the concert grand K280), the Schimmel Konzert K125 is a formidable work of art.

Action

With a newly redesigned action courtesy of Schimmel’s top architects, the K125 delivers a level of control and refinement never before seen in a Schimmel upright.

Renner builds the actions according to Schimmel’s design, and the actions are vigorously regulated over several weeks at the factory level after installation.

Like the rest of the Schimmel pianos from the Konzert series, the K125 also incorporates extended-length key-sticks to offer ‘Konzert Grand’ like control.

If you’ve only ever played something like a Yamaha U1, you’ll be simply floored by the touch of this action.

Tone

Schimmel, usually known for a bright tonal profile, clearly elected to shift gears here and come out with a series of instruments that are darker, warmer, and more dynamic.

And it’s been a rousing success – the K125 achieves all of these goals, bringing the tone more in line with other elite, similarly sized German uprights.

One of the reasons is the addition of Schimmel’s new triplex scaling technique taken from their 9 foot K280 concert grand. Add in a lush, long sustain, and you’ve got all the making for excellent piano tone.

Hammers

Wurzen provides the hammers used in the K125, made to Schimmel’s extremely high standards.

The hammers are double felted with high-grade wool, and use mahogany shanks, helping keep the tonal profile warm.

Soundboard

Schimmel’s arrangement with the German Forestry authority is a very advantageous one for Schimmel, as it allows them access Triple AAA, slow growth spruce from the Bavarian mountains for their soundboards in the Schimmel K 125.

The soundboards are also tapered to improve the vibration properties.

Cabinet

Schimmel has won more design awards than any other German piano maker, and this strong eye for aesthetics is of course present here. Multiple finish options are available including standard ebony high gloss. And with thick spruce back-posts, the K125 is built to pass down for generations.