Studio microphone - Grand Piano

[Chris T]

I have a home studio and am trying to decide on some new mics. I already own an AT4060 (Tube) mic, which I love and have used for years on everything from vocals, to solo instruments (Ac Gtr, solo brass, strings etc). It always went through a Grace 101 Pre. The sound is very clean, though perhaps a little harsh on the high end (especially on Ac Gtr).

I recently bought a Yamaha C7 (7'6") grand piano, which I love. I'm trying to decide on at least a good stereo pair to mic the piano with, which would also double as good room / ambient mics for recording say a string quartet in my studio. I don't need fancy, coloring tube mics, as I want as pure/real a sound as possible.

The non-piano role is not as important right now, but if I can find good mics that could do both jobs, I'd be very happy (and less poor! . I guess my first question (as applied to piano) is whether I should go with cardioid or multi-pattern (so I have the omni option, which I hear is good for piano). I also just got an 8-channel Focusrite pre (Octapre) which these mics will be going through.

I've been considering the following (all as matched pairs):

Multipattern Lg Diaph. condensers
- AKG C414XLS
- Shure KSM32

Cardioid:
- AKG 214 (the cheaper AKG option, but then I don't have omni..)
- Neumann KM184

Omni:
- Schopes Mk2 (Omni)

I've also considered ribbons (the active ones would be great but are more expensive). I understand that they don't have the 'harshness' in the high end which is common in condensers.

So of the ribbon dynamics:
- Beyerdynamic M160
- Royer R121

Any tips, opinions or advice?....

thanks!