Sohmer

[Tom Driscoll]

Jim, My experience with the Sohmer is radically different. In the same room
with a Kawai and a Hamilton of same size  this piano reacts  with much more
instability  . Perhaps  our extreme low winter humidity compared to Fla< 25%
at times>explains this. Anyway my comments were about only one model as I
have many fine Sohmers including studios in my practice thanks, Tom
Driscoll ----- Original Message -----
From: <JIMRPT@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 11:18 AM
Subject: Sohmer


> Et Al;
>  There has been quite a bit of fault finding with the Sohmer 45S and I
> thought I would just present a contrasting view........well not really
> contrasting but a different slant perhaps.
>
>  While it is true that the Sohmer has some tuning instability across the
> break and it is true that the last two tenor notes of  the 45S are
'almost'
> untunable there is much to be said good for them.
>
>  While I was doing University work I had 26 of the Model 45S to care for
in
> one school and 16 to care for in another school. some of these instruments
> were purchased back in 1964 and none are younger than 1976.
>
>  Almost every one of these Sohmers are in daily use as of today. Aside
from
> the normal maintenance that any instrument should receive they have
performed
> with yeoman like service.  Many Everetts, Baldwins etc. have passed
through
> the doors of these two institutions, been used and discarded because they
did
> not hold up as well as the Sohmers.
>
>   Both of these Schools are involved in Manufacturer University deals
where
> the Manufacturer supplies new instruments and replaces some of the Schools
> instruments for a year or so.  'Almost' every piano sold by these two
schools
> to make room for the new pianos were something other than the Sohmers.
>
>  Do the Sohmers I was responsible for have some tuning instability
> problems?.....
> Yes they did/do but no more than the Baldwins, Everetts, etc. albeit in
> different areas and for possibly different reasons.
>
>  Bottom line..........the Sohmer 45S provides very good value for the
dollar
> spent and provide much better service than some other brands, in my
> experience. Would I ever recommend the purchase of Sohmers as opposed to
> another brand?  Yes, depending on the dollars available and the opposing
> brands being considered.
> My View.
> Jim Bryant (FL)