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My local Kawai dealer is selling a "RX-2 Millenium edition". (ME) This piano seems really amazing but I'm not sure if it's really all that much better than a regular RX-2.

I'm basically trying to choose between 2 pianos:

(1) RX-2 ME (millenium edition)
Pros:
-Fancy soundboard using Italian Ciresa spruce
-Sounds incredible to me, my teacher loves it too and says it sounds like a Steinway
Cons:
-8 years old
-$1000 more than a regular, new RX-2
-5 year store warranty
-Doesn't have millenium III action

(2) RX-2
Pros:
-Still pretty nice tone, although I don't like it as much as the Millenium
-Very good action
-Not sure if the keys are different from the ME, but they seem a bit easier to grip

Cons:
-When I play the ME and then go back to the regular RX-2 it sounds like junk (EDIT- ok, maybe junk is a bit strong- I just meant that even though they were nearly the same model, the difference in tone was big enough for me to have a clear preference)

The dealer made the ME sound amazing but I'm not sure how much is sales hype. As I said, I did think it sounded incredible, but I'm not sure if I am overpaying- it's $15k for a piano that's 8 years old and doesn't even have the Millenium III action.

Thanks!
-Mr.

You have to balance cost and how much you like the piano. Only you can decide this part. Sounds like you've already decided which piano you like most if cost was not part of the equation.

Yeah, if cost isn't in the equation then I like the RX-2 ME the most. I'm just not sure if I'm a sucker for paying $1k *more* for a used piano and falling for the sales pitch about the special wood, etc.

I dug up an old thread where KawaiDon said:
"We have issued some special models with 'Ciresa' spruce (mainly the Millenium Editions). We were unhappy with the initial seasoning of the woods, though the tone was very nice."

I'm not really sure what particularly they were unhappy with- did the soundboards tend to develop cracks, or what?

Thanks again for all the advice everyone

-Mr.

A $1000 more for an eight year old RX-2 than the price of a new RX-2 that has the new action?
The only "wood" discussion relevant would be if it was in your head. Get the new RX-2 a great instrument!

Hmmm you may be right Marty!

I suppose it could be how that RX-2 ME was voiced but man I tell you honestly, based on playing the two side by side, the tone of the two was night and day. Everyone there agreed that it was superior (my teacher, my tuner, my brother, and myself).

Hey Mister,

For what it's worth, I just came back from my Kawaii dealer. I've been looking at Boston vs. some smaller Kawaii's and Yamahas. I was just "offered" a new RX2 for $15,000 plus tax including delivery, tuning, reg, bench etc. I've read in the forums that when you find the right piano, you "fall in love with it." I did and the dealer knows that, and he still offered it at about $15,000 (here in AZ).

Hey Mister,

For what it's worth, I just came back from my Kawaii dealer. I've been looking at Boston vs. some smaller Kawaii's and Yamahas. I was just "offered" a new RX2 for $15,000 plus tax including delivery, tuning, reg, bench etc. I've read in the forums that when you find the right piano, you "fall in love with it." I did and the dealer knows that, and he still offered it at about $15,000 (here in AZ).

It's not the millenium edition but it does have the millenium action.

Listen to Marty.

Have the dealer prep the new RX-2 then compare again. Also, a new piano out of a crate won't sound as good as one broken in. Either way, get the new one.

I'll second koiloco.

Ask the dealer to prep the new RX-2 to be similar to the ME edition in tone. Go for the new RX-2 that is so attractive in price and has the new action and also the better warranty!

I think if anyone can tell the price for a new ME edition during 2000 would be an indication for mister to decide.

Mister,

In the Kawai pianos, the Ciresa spruce was more sensitive to very dry climates than the usual Kawai spruce from Canada. The Ciresa boards are slightly more flexible than the Sitka, creating a little sweeter tone that sustains well. If you live in a place with very dry conditions, using a humidity control system should protect the board from cracking.

If you are not unhappy with the action in the older piano, then it sounds like the tradeoff between tone and touch is a good one for you. But the advice others gave regarding asking the dealer to tune and prep the new piano is also good.

There are also differences from one piano to the next, so a different example of a new RX-2 might also please you as much as the Millennium Edition model.

mister,
Production of RX-<n> ME (millenium edition) has been discontinued a few months ago. As I know of, Kawai did not explain why they did so inspite demands for this edition seemingly existed.
It could be that this model did not produce more profit for Kawai than regular RXs or SKs. Another reason, I guress, is mechanical characteristics of Ciresa soundboard does not fit to the case, the bridge or some other part of the piano. I guessed so when I saw frequent posts on a Japanese bbs by an RX2ME owner. According to his posts, the pitch down(e.g., a few cents per week) continued for more than six months.
I would suggest you to ask the dealer if they can send techs to tune your RX2ME free as many times as necessary until the pitch down rate decreases to a certain amount(e.g., few cents per month).

--
an amateur

It does not sound like any of the above choices is "the one" for you. Unless your impression changes upon subsequent visitS , you may have a big case of buyer's remorse if you buy any of them.

The worst thing you can do is buy a piano that sounds like "junk" to you. If it's junk to you, it's junk to you -- doesn't matter if it's new or has a fancy action.

Why don't you keep looking and play some more pianos until a CLEAR winner emerges?

Thanks for all the great advice! I'll try asking the dealer if he can voice the new RX2 to sound like the other one.

That is great info on the Ciresa wood... I am planning to install a dampp chaser so hopefully the soundboard will be ok. The thing about the piano not being able to stay in tune is a bit scary so I'll ask the dealer about the tuning.

Hmm, that's a good point Sophie.. There's a bit of pressure to make a decision for various reason... The biggest one is that I have a guest coming to stay with me in a couple of days, after which I'll have nearly zero time to do piano shopping. I definitely don't want buyer's remorse though so I will make at least one more trip to the store to try out the pianos.

Thanks again all for the great info and advice,

-Mr.

EDIT: when I said 'junk', that was maybe a bit of an exaggeration. The sound of the "regular" RX-2 wasn't bad in absolute terms and I think I could be quite happy with that piano as well- I just preferred the ME by a large enough gap that when I played it and went back to the regular RX-2 I felt like something was missing

Alright, good luck!

Keep us updated!

Just for your info., one of my friends recently purchased a new RX-2 at $13.5K, including two tuning, excluding tax & delivery.

Thanks tanjinjack!

Cool, thanks windsound. I was offered the same price for the new RX-2

Anyway... I'm going back to that Kawai dealer tomorrow, I e-mailed him asking if he could do any of those things people suggested (extra tunings, voicing, etc) but didn't really get any response but we'll see.

I also found a private seller who is selling a 1991 Yamaha C6 for $15k. I'm not sure if the larger size (6'11) really means it's a better piano than a C3 or whatever, but at that price it does seem like a bargain.

Oh yeah, I also went back to try that KG-2A again over the weekend... Didn't like it at all, surprisingly. Can't figure out why I liked it the 1st time, maybe the flattery from the salespeople got to my head or something -_-

-Mr.

Check out that C6. I love big-sized, you know!

Anyway, be sure to get a technician to check out a used piano if you are interested in it!

I saw the C6 today... actually it was quite nice!

Unfortunately after thinking about it some more, I don't think I can really fit that in my place.

Thanks for the tip about technicians, definitely wouldn't want to blow $15k on a dud.

If it was nice, then try to see if you can fit the piano or not!
Try it by moving some furniture here and there!

It's wise to justify which piano you like the best regardless of price and other factors. Which piano do you like in term of tone, touch and appearance only?

I recently purchased a C7 (you can see photos in my post) and actually I was chosing between a C6 and a C7.

As my opinion, C6 is something that RX-2 can not compare. Of course, a thorough check is a must for a used one.