What happens when the principle of the ‘golden ratio’ is transferred to a piano?
It produces well-proportioned models such as the C 126 Tradition.
In art and architecture, the golden section is frequently considered as the ideal proportions between certain combinations of lengths and is also viewed as being the epitome of aesthetics and harmony. Seen from this aspect, this model certainly fulfils all criteria.
Konzert Concept (Classic): Instruments are based on an innovative design concept, developed by Schimmel in 2000 based on the idea to implement all outstanding characteristics of our full size concert grand K 280 into this series where possible. For example, we are using the similar scale layout from tone 44 up to tone 88. Also, the soundboard design is similar to a grand piano. This way we transfer a big part of the sound characteristic of our K 280 also into our Konzert uprights. The action keyboard design is optimized to achieve a repetition as fast as an average grand piano. This way the designs are carefully simplified in detail and material compared with the Konzert designs, still remaining the main characteristics.
Our hammer heads are made from highly elastic merino felt with high flexibility and low damping properties. The felt is made from the highest quality merino wool in a traditional fulling process in Germany. For the hammer cores, we use hardwoods in combination with tension-regulating under felts. The result is a great richness of tone colours in the different dynamic levels, as well as long-lasting tones due to low damping effect on the strings (short contact period due to highly elastic felt).
Due to the different physical conditions, grand pianos usually play better than upright pianos. However, by optimizing the lever ratios in the concert mechanism, it has been possible to achieve a significant improvement in touch. For example, the mechanism is now designed so that the repetition is just as high as on an average grand piano.
"Mineral key tops" are used for flat keys on all Schimmel instruments. These were developed by Schimmel and offer a more sensitive touch for pianists. In addition to this secure and sensitive touch, they are "glare-free" thanks to the matt surface, which s particularly advantageous for the pianist, especially on stages with spotlights.
The keybed is firmly connected to the strungback by a three-point support, thus ensuring a resonance-link. In addition, the extremely stable, multi-layer glued keybed is pre-tensioned with an adjustment function in a process patented by Schimmel. This also ensures increased climate stability of the action regulation. As with our grand pianos, sound resonances are also specifically amplified, resulting in richer tone colours. The vibrations also create an improved possibility of interaction with the instrument when playing the piano.
We use the term tonewood to describe all the resonance woods that produce the sound. For this we use selected mountain grown spruce from the Bavarian and Bohemian forests, the origin of tonewood of the German instrument makers. For this purpose, we only select perfect wood, grown slowly at high altitudes, so that soundboards can be joined that have optimal resonance characteristics. The trees are pre-selected in the forests and then specially cut and dried over long periods of time. Despite this intensive pre-selection, only about 2% of the timber obtained in this way is suitable for our soundboard production.
The bridge transfers and distributes the vibration of the strings into the soundboard. Schimmel invented the so called mass-reduced bridge so that the bridge can withstand the string tension, transmit the energy optimally and at the same time prevent the soundboard from vibrating freely as little as possible. This involves milling a dynamic contour into the flanks of the bridge, which ensures that the richness of the sound is increased, and the sustain gets longer. An innovative idea that still received a patent even after more than 300 years of traditional piano making.
The "Dynamic Sound Bar" is clamped to the soundboard during the production of the soundboard. This regulates the flow of energy in the soundboard when playing at different volumes, thus ensuring a wider range of sound characteristics depending on the attack and volume. This is what we call high tonal dynamics. Depending on the size and shape of the soundboard, we use either one or two dynamic sound bars to achieve the best possible result. (see table)
The string layout, the so-called scale, of a large concert grand offers optimal physical properties for an impressive grand piano sound. For all Schimmel grand pianos, as well as all Konzert and the large Classic upright pianos C 126 and C 130, we have therefore transferred the middle register and the treble (tone 44 to 88) scale into all mentioned models identically from our large concert grand K 280. In this way, we achieve the same sound characteristics as with a large grand piano.
An appendix of a string are areas of strings that are not made to vibrate directly by the hammerhead, but will vibrate through energy transfer and generate partial tones that provide even more richness of sound and longer sustain and can strongly influence the sound character. These areas are very sensitive and need to be crafted with precision to sound right. For this reason, we use CNC manufactured scales. The scales of our Konzert grand pianos can be even tuned afterwards, so that they can later be voiced by ear. Depending on the model, either no scale, one or two scales are used, resulting in one, two (duplex), or three (triplex) sound-producing sections of a string. (see table)
We use pin blocks made of thin hardwood layers so that the instrument keeps its pitch optimally and is easy to tune. These pin blocks were developed by Schimmel in the 1950s as so-called "tropical climate resistant" pin blocks and have proven themselves over the decades.
Schimmel offers an extended manufacturer's warranty through its network of appointed dealers. Because we trust and stand by the quality of our instruments.
As early as the 1980s, Schimmel used computers to improve the design of their instruments and was a pioneer in the piano industry. Since then, the use of computers for research and development has been constantly further developed and today, referred to as CAPE, represents a unique and all-encompassing software solution into which decades of development work and research results have contributed. On this basis, new ideas and designs are constantly being created that set standards in the industry. On this basis, the use of CNC machines for the production of precision parts has been promoted since the 1990s. These are then added to our instruments exclusively by hand and are a prerequisite for achieving the highest quality.
Environmental protection and sustainability have been part of the company philosophy at Schimmel since the company was founded in 1885. This starts with the quality of our instruments. With a Schimmel instrument, you are purchasing a durable product that will be used for many years, often for generations. Which industry can say that it repeatedly receives requests for spare parts for its products that are more than 100 years old? Durability conserves resources. In addition, we manufacture our instruments from predominantly renewable raw materials - domestic wood from certified forestry and wool - and our cast iron plates are made in an elaborate process from recycled scrap metal. Wood leftovers and shavings from production are used to heat production in winter, and we generate solar power on the roof of the factory. Biofilters and a modern heating system complete our production. And of course, we produce according to high German environmental standards. This is true not only in our manufactory in Braunschweig | Germany, but also in Kalisz | Poland. In China, the production of our Fridolin instruments is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001 to ensure our high standards of environmental protection and sustainability here as well.
| Model series | C 126 |
| Model | Tradition |
| Height (cm | inch) | 126 | 49″ |
| Width (cm) | 154 |
| Depth (cm) | 62 |
| Weight (kg | lbs) | 248 | 547 |
| Finish | Ebony high gloss | Mahogany high gloss |
| Standard hardware | Brass |
| Optional hardware to order | Chrome matte | Chrome gloss |
| Manufacturer | Wilhelm Schimmel Pianofortefabrik GmbH |
| Country of origin | Braunschweig | Germany |
| Action | Schimmel action made by Renner | Germany |
| Keyboard | Complete production Braunschweig |
| Keyboard coating | Mineral | Bakelite |
| Number of keys | 88 |
| Approx. keybed height from floor to underside keybed / keytop (mm) | 670 | 770 |
| Pedals | Piano Pedal (left) | Moderator/twintone (middle) | Tone control (right) |
| Installation of self player possible | no |
| Installation twin tone ex works | retrofit at dealers workshop* (* since manufacturing year 2019) | yes | yes |
Steel strings high performance spring steel with precise partial tone development | High-performance steel by Pitthan | Germany |
| Bass strings | made by Schimmel |
| Duplex / Triplex scale for definition see product details | Duplex |
| Box frame construction with solid hard wood liners inlaid in mountain grown spruce. Combines high stability against bending forces with high energy reflection | yes |
| Three-dimensional crowned and tension loaded soundboard | with conical cut |
| Dynamic soundbar for definition see product details | one |
| Bridge: solid beech capped by 5 layers of maple wood crosswise glued | made by Schimmel |
| Cast iron made traditionally | yes |
| Piano lid design | horizontal and vertical |
| Glider/castor as standard (exchange to glider / castor is possible upon request) | Glider |
| Soft close fallboard standard | no |
| High gloss finishes are made of premium piano lacquer by layering process and hand polished | yes |
| Manufactured according to following standards: | German Environment Standards |
