[cazmal]

A while ago I posted about Schimmel vs Steinway. I am still looking - off to Steinway's Sale in London on Friday. I also have an option on a Schimmel 169T from a local dealer for around 18k pounds. I have played a couple of Steinways - one new and one reconditioned and wasn't that comfortable with either.
In the meantime, I have had a call about a 1 year old Schimmel 169 priced at about 15k, for sale privately so no back-up. It does sound interesting but it is 130 miles away so not convenient for my tuner to look at prior to purchase. Would the remainder of the manufacturer's warranty be transferrable? What factors to I have to think about other than the obvious transport and setting up? What would you do?

[mdw]

The guarantee is covered by the retailer so check with them. The market for selling 2nd hand big grands is going to be almost zero at the moment ( compared to what it has been) so find out how desperate the 2nd hand owner is too sell. I would imagine they wont be able to sell it back to the supplying dealer without losing half their money at least. The only plus side the 2nd hand owner has is that there wont be many of them about up for sale at that age so they may look to find out how desperate YOU are to buy!!!
If I was spending 15 big ones I would make it worth my tuners time to travel 130 miles. I would imagine £250 plus fuel should cover it perhaps with a nice pub lunch thrown it to discuss the finer details whilst its fresh in his/her mind.

[Jazzer]

Schimmel = great instruments. Just got to know a grand recently (can't remember which model, sorry) and was very impressed. I am an owner of an old upright which has survived the years (and heavy playing) well, but this grand was in another league...

[PianoGuy]

[Gill the Piano]

Alternatively - though not as much fun as a jolly day out - you could find a tuner on this site (other sites are available, though obviously far inferior) who is nearer the piano and pay him/her to vet it for you.

[cazmal]

I decided that for the sake of a few thousand pounds, I preferred to buy locally so as to have the backing of the local dealer/specialist. I also couldn't spare the time to travel to play the piano (I know they all play differently).

So. I am now the proud owner of a new Schimmel Konzert 169T grand piano - it is truly lovely.

(PS. Does anyone know of a good home for my old Broadwood baby grand!?)

[Otto]

Congratulations!

I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. I was well impressed by them when I was having my Bechstein model IV rebuilt in 1982. The guy who was doing the work was an agent for Schimmel and I spent some time playing them.

I swapped that piano for a Steinway 'D' about 4 years ago. It had taken me 2 years to find the piano I wanted ( a 1985 one for around £30k, that had been 'sorted out' by Jeffrey Shackell).
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Otto