Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum KG-1D 5'1" baby grand or new Chinese Baldwin?

Ok. I gave up on the Astin-weight after hearing it was a stencil, and am now trying to decide between the other 2 pianos we have played and liked. The first is a KG-1D 5'1" Kawaii (20 years old) in good shape-and our piano tuner said that it was ok for $4,500 or a new 5'3" chinese baldwin for $6,900. My girls played them and weren't too impressed with the Kawaii, they thought it was just ok. I would definitely like the less expensive price, but am willing to pay more if the Baldwin is worth the extra money and will be a good piano for years to come. I would love any input at all!!! You guys are awesome to help a piano novice like me.

Although very well built, older Kawais, especially of the KG-*D vintage, can have very tough actions. Perhaps that is what your girls have noticed and didn't like.

I have not had any experience with Baldwin recently, but other pianos coming from China have suprisingly good actions, and this is a big factor for playability.

I will let others comment on the value comparison between your 2 examples. But I will advise, not to buy a piano that you don't really like!

As Nick made mention,these early Kawai grands were very well built. The KG1D (5'1") in it's era was actually quite nice. It superceded the KG1C in the early eighties evolving into the KG1E(5'4")in the late eighties. So...it is really more like 25 years new. Structuarally they were much better than the newer GE and GM series which Kawai introduced in the late eighties. The actions as for touchweight could very well be considered on the heavy side but not excessive. The main issue is that of the age factor comparing it to a brand new
quality Chinese piano. You might want to consider some other comparable options other than a Dongbei manufactured Baldwin.