Schimmel K122 Upright Piano

Product Overview

Just like their main competitor C. Bechstein, Schimmel is a German piano maker who produces pianos in four distinct lines of quality. And also like Bechstein, Schimmel produces two lines in Germany, one line in Eastern Europe (Wilhelm Schimmel), and one in China (Fridolin).

Schimmel’s Classic line is a fine, German-made lineup on instruments, but the still recent Schimmel Konzert series brings things to a whole new level.

Despite its “professional” size of 48” inches, the Schimmel K122 is actually the smallest of the three Konzert series Schimmel pianos. That said, it’s almost unfair to think of the K122 as the entry point to the series given the magnificent musical potential this acoustic piano is capable of.

Hand made by a small cadre of experienced piano craftsmen in Braunschweig Germany, the K122 also boasts a host of modern design features, such as a soundboard outfitted with dynamic bars for greater resonance, extra-long keysticks for greater control, and triplex scaling for greater sustain and tonal complexity.

A singular music experience embodying the legacy of Leipzig Germany where Schimmel began, the K122 was designed for those who wish to truly reward themselves and go beyond the usual Yamaha or Kawai route.

Action

You’ll expect the K122 to have an excellent action, and it most certainly does. Made in Germany by Renner to Schimmel’s unique design before an extensive regulation back in Braunschweig, this action plays flawlessly out of the box.

Borrowing from the K280 ‘Konzert Grand’ (full size 9-foot concert grand piano) the K125 features extended-length key sticks that are on average 6 cm longer than a comparably sized upright piano. Schimmel’s goal here was to make their Konzert series uprights play more like a grand piano, and the added control the longer key-sticks provide certainly helps bridge that gap. This action instills a degree of confidence in the performer as it can handle any repertoire.

The keytops utilize a special blend of minerals to replicate the moisture-absorbing properties of real ivory.

Tone

The K122 is a much warmer and more dynamic instrument than the 48″ Schimmel uprights of the past, which sometimes received criticism for being too bright and even shrill in some cases.

A new proprietary ‘Triplex Scale’ has been added which improves the spectrum of harmonics, and the precise workmanship means the new scale design is perfectly executed.

If you ever have a chance to visit one of our showrooms, try playing the K122 side-by-side with a Japanese upright to be truly blown away.

Hammers

Schimmel reserves their top-quality hammers for use in the Konzert series. Provided by hammer experts Wurzen, the K122 features a dual felted hammer with a mahogany core for a darker sound. The Classic series uses a beech core hammer which facilitates a brighter tone.

Soundboard

Schimmel has Germany’s Forest authority set aside the top quality spruce for use in the Konzert series uprights, selecting only slow-growth spruce from the highest possible altitudes of the Bavarian mountainside.

Ideal soundboard wood is of critical importance if a piano is going to achieve its maximum potential, and Schimmel further tapers the soundboards prior to installing them to ensure this is the case.

Cabinet

The K122 comes in an ebony high gloss finish, sure to be the centerpiece of any room. Its case is solid and robust back-posts ensure decades of music-making.