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Hello all.
I'm looking to buy my first DP and I don't want to buy something that will be replaced with a new model a couple months later.
So...

What are the chances of us seeing new CA and/or CS models in 2014?

What features would you predict to be added/improved in such a new model?

Thanks
Scott

Hi there,

Please note I am new to piano and the forum and my opinion may not be accurate, this is only my humble assumption.
I made a little research and found that the previous CA models 63 & 93 were introduced 12/2009 and the current CA models 65 & 95 should be introduced beginning of 2012, since the first software update dated 5/12.

If the pattern repeats, late 2014/early 2015 the CA series may have new members!

On the other hand, the current CA65/95 has the latest in Kawai's action, the Grand Feel action, which is top of the line, IMO (and used in their MP11 just released). So if a new CA model was released soon, one could get a great deal on a great instrument going for the older model.

Either way it would be good to know if plans are in the hopper, but sometimes that info is closely guarded.

Thanks for the responses.
You both summarized the thoughts I had.

Only time will tell, I guess.

Note on the Kawai Website, the CA65 and CA95 are offered at "reduced" prices.

Hmmmm ... I wonder why they would do that?

For obvious reasons: new models coming and/or those older models are selling poorly. Kraft and B&H are both offering $200 instant rebates on the MP10, but that's obviously an inventory-clearing measure.

Maybe they have in their secret japanese labs the CA97, which will have two more transducers, even better action and completely new sound engine. Not compressed samples merged with real time modeling. Can be with some better look and sound which will be not "polite" I don't know how to say it in English, but I always found kawai sound to be nice good and polite, but without this power inside like the Roland's have for example. A bit more dirtiness, if you know, what I am speaking about

Summer NAMM ..maybe?

July 17-19, in Nashville, Tenn

uffff... even at reduced prices they are quite more expensive than here in the UK....

new models??? I'd be extremely curious about what they could do!

If they're coming out with new models this year, most of the design will probably already have been done. Nevertheless, staying within the realms of incremental improvements, we can come up with a wish-list...

Well, I'm scheduled to start working on a new series of owner's manuals next month.

However, they are not for CA models.

Kind regards,
James
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Uhmm... maybe a new ES8... does it generally take long from the moment you start to the moment they are for sale?

No, not yet. Also, I said a new series.



It really depends on a number of factors. Sometimes I complete manuals several months before mass production, while on other occasions the scheduling is much closer.

James
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Finally going after the digital harpsichord market?

Indeed. Look out Roland!

I don't envy the manual writing job James. At all.

Congrats be to you.

Jay

Thanks.

Well, it can be a little monotonous, but working alongside the engineers allows me to gain a greater insight into an instrument's operation, and occasionally provide suggestions that improve its functionality or ease-of-use.

This knowledge and experience also comes in handy when preparing marketing materials.

Cheers,
James
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James, perhaps you said this before, but I'm wondering what you studied or what kind of preparation has a person who writes owner manuals? As Jay, I don't envy you job, in fact I hate when I have to write something.
By the way piano is a hobby for me, I'm chemist.

Well, because of my family background I grew up around digital pianos and keyboards (Yamaha and Technics mostly), so would often read their owner's manuals to understand how the instruments worked.

At university I studied digital media, and already a pretty strong knowledge in computing and computer music from my teens.

I was initially employed by Kawai to proof-read/edit English materials, but my role has expanded to the point where I write all the content and perform most of the layout work.

Kind regards,
James
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