4) Work that creates the special Schimmel piano sound

Each piano maker seeks to create their own special sound that distinguishes them from other manufacturers. This is done by shaping the felt of the hammers that hit the strings to achieve the correct soft/hard balance. It takes several years to learn the skills, which comprise working with a tool possessing two fine needles that are pressed into the felt until the texture feels right. The hammers are then checked on a piano to hear if it is the specific Schimmel sound. This process is done twice and then checked again. A full top of the range grand piano costs around €150,000.