Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Ritmüller GH-148R, GH-160R, GH-170R experiences

I really like the tone of these Ritmüllers. But the price is low. What's the catch?

What do you techs think of them?
What do you think of the Lothar Thomma's design choices?
What do you think of the build quality, the materials etc.?
What do you think of the tone?
How are they to tune and regulate and to work with in general, for a tech?

I own a Ritmuller UH-121R. I find it to be an incredible bargain, and a surprisingly expressive and satisfying musical instrument to play.

From a technician's standpoint, it's put together well and has a nice responsive Renner action - really no different to work on than a Yamaha or Kawai (though I wish the capstans had eyelets for ease of turning). I really like the hammers - they've got a great clear and warm tone, don't really brighten up that excessively with use, and voice easily.

The case is where they make the compromises - the black polyester finish is flawless, but the sides are not solid wood, it's some mdf-composite. I imagine they'd cut similar corners in some of the nonessential parts on a grand as well.

Anyone else?

This thread should be in the Piano Forum or on Pianostreet. It is out of place here.

The only thing out-of-place is your comment, Ian.

PFH has specifically asked the techs what they think about Ritmüllers. He obviously doesn't want a pianist's appraisal, but a technician's (design, build, tone and serviceability).

One more question: How smooth (or not) is the transition at the tenor break?

And yes, in this thread I am not so much interested in other pianists opinions (though they are welcome), but the assessments of techs that have worked on these grands.

Are you deliberately trying to goad me, Mark?

Do you really expect piano tuners to give a frank appraisal of the quality of their clients' pianos? Except favourably perhaps.

I am not sure I get your point, Ian?

Why wouldn't a tech assess a Ritmüller grand that he has worked on, the good things and the bad things he has experienced?

Giving an unfavourable opinion of someone's piano to a global audience might lose a customer. In fact it might lose several.

This forum has had enough derailing lately. I am trying to (re-)focus on the topics at hand, which you quite evidently are not. If you feel "goaded" by that, perhaps I've hit a nerve?

Mark

Please justify your remark, "which you quite evidently are not". My original comment in this thread was in response to PFH's question "Who else?" and I have explained why I made it.

Alternatively, let's move on before we excite the left handed penguin breeders. Did you know they are the "creme de la creme" of the avian world?

I guess that's a valid point. On the other hand, it's not like we haven't seen techs criticize the quality of certain models before?

And how else would I get the honest opinion of several techs on these pianos?

Also, it is possible that a tech has worked with one of these pianos without being a seller of them. I guess the opposite of what you suggest could happen too: Techs that are in competition with Ritmüller pianos might badmouth them unjustly. I guess you always have to take what you read on the internet with a grain of salt. Still, I would like to hear from techs that have worked on these pianos.

Well, the response so far has not been overwhelming though Adam gave a pretty comprehensive answer. I'd say put the question on the piano forum where you should get a response to, "The price is low. What's the catch?". You could then follow through with supplementaries on specific points such as design choices.

You have done, let's see.

I was happy to receive Adam's answer, even if it was not about the models mentioned but instead about an upright. But it was hardly "comprehensive"? Others can still contribute with valuable information.

But I guess none of you techs have ever encountered one of the models I ask about?

I have a GH170R - I love it. Am not a tech - send a PM to Jim Moy. He is a member here - not super active but he is my tech - I am sure he will give you some thoughts / information.

Jonathan