I presently own a Yamaha Clavinova and although it's fine for the standard I am at, I've decided to purchase a real piano.
Although I've only just started to look around at the various makes and models available, there are two makes that have caught my attention so far that are within my budget.
They are Petrof and Schimmel. I do intend to try many more before I finally make my decision, but my question is this:
Are there any owners of Petrof and Schimmel piano's out there and if so, what are your opinions?

A friend of mine (grade 8+ pianist) tried lots of pianos and bought a Schimmel. She liked the nice bright tone. Have fun hunting!

I don't (yet) own a grand piano but I do own an old upright and a new digital and have been looking around for grand pianos for some time (intending to buy next Spring sometime, maybe). Schimmel's are on the shortlist. Petrof's aren't. I don't know if I would say the same thing if I was buying an upright though.

Thanks for the prompt reply Robodoc, may I ask, why you have ruled out the Petrof?


thanks for the reply SueHM, an interesting posting, the fact that your friend has tried lots of different pianos and then chose a Schimmel.

petrof. mines a welmer (made by same ppl as petrof or something) and when i tried the petrof at the piano place it was lovely (but too expensive for us)

I had actually tried a Schimmel and loved it.. don't know what about Petrof though.

Schimmel over Petrof every time...

Hard to say: I just felt that the Schimmel was a "better" piano for the money in the range I was looking at (about 180-190 cm long, not full size concert grand and not baby grand). Also, if, when the time comes, the money is a little more constrained, my fallback position will be a Yamaha. Every other piano I try gets measured against those two. The Petrof didn't displace either.

Schimmels are excellent - well made and with very good components. If I were looking for a new piano that is what I would get - I prefer the sound to the Welmar and the Yamaha. I have never seen a Petrof so can't comment there

Most pianos in my music school are upright Petrofs, and I think they have a lovely bright tone. I've never played a Schimmel though.