Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum My New Kawai K500 Piano - Initial Observations

I just bought a new Kawai K500. They just delivered it at noon today. My previous piano was a 1997 Baldwin Hamilton (243). I have been playing for 50 years. Here is my initial thoughts.

First is the quality of the finish. It is perfect with no blemishes in Gloss Ebony. The piano movers did go over how to clean it. It is pretty impressive. The next thing is the fit of the pieces is pretty amazing. Everything fits tightly and the crack space is uniform.

The second thing I noticed is the feel of the action. I did see them take it out of the shipping container and they did not touch the regulation. It was perfect out of the box. no adjustment needed. The action was very fast and consistent from the bass to the treble.

The sound is amazing. Even though it needs to be touched up for a tuning, the sound after extensive playing did not tire on my ears. A very organic sounding with a warm midrange and a strong bass. I did open the lid a little and the piano really did sing.

People will wonder why I did not get a Grand Piano. This is the reason why: Size. I am headed to retirement and the next house will be smaller than this one. The 51" Kawai Upright is a good compromise between sound, action and size. the Kawai action is really fast and responsive. The sound is great and sings. The size is the same floor size as any other upright. It is significantly taller and therefore the bigger scale makes up for it being an upright. Also with Kawai I can if I want to upgrade to a Grand Piano by trading in my Upright and get a dollar for dollar credit to go toward the purchase of a new Grand. So I do have a way forward if the next house does have room.

Something I am looking forward to is the practice pedal. the Baldwin did not have one. Rather it had a sostenuto pedal. the practice pedal will help me be able to practice late at night. For now I have been using a Kawai MP7 with headphones. This is a pretty good late night practice piano. But the K500 practice option is for me a better way to go.

I did look at several brands and what I found is there is some very strong uprights out there. I did feel that the upper tier pianos are well made and look great. The sonic and action differences are really what do you like. But take your time. There is some really great pianos out there at reasonable prices.

In closing the Kawai K500 is an amazing piano for those who need a top tier upright piano.

Congratulations on your new purchase.

FrankDaddy, congratulations on your new piano purchase! The delivery of a new piano with which you are delighted is just wonderful. My best wishes for your continuing enjoyment of this piano and may your piano playing flourish.

Kind regards,

Robert.

Most sincere congratulations!
Hope that we can see some pictures and hear some recordings of it!


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Due to my poor grasp of English and still nascent interest in piano, I intially thought that you have been playing your 1997 piano for 50 years. I understand that this is only funny for me...

Again, sincere congratulations for your new Kawai.

FrankDaddy,

Congratulations! Maybe you like me (I'm 70) will learn to tune it yourself. Head over here to the tuner and technicians group where you will find lots of good information about others who self tune and regulate.

Ian

K500 huh. That's a fantastic piano. Better than many smaller grands. Congratulations. I wish ....

LOL! Thank you for the congrats! I was not very clear in stating that! Have a great Day!

SpanishBudda I have read your posts for several years. That means a lot coming from you. Thank you So much! You have a great day!

Beemer. That is a great idea! I will do so. I tune my Rhodes and other instruments. I probably need to do the same considering the cost!

Thank you Robert! the new piano has really got me playing a lot more and I realize now that I needed a better instrument. I still love my Baldwin 243 but it was time to get a better piano. thanks again

Alma viva Thank you for the note! Really looking forward to spending some quality time with the piano!

Congratulations!!

thank you dynamobt!

Congratulations on your new piano and many enjoyable hours spent playing!

Congratulations, and my sincere thanks.

Pictures are always nice. :-)

Mega congrats!!!

Kawai is a fine piano!

Enjoy!

Rick

You have made an excellent choice. Congratulations!

KawaiDon

Pictures on the way! and thanks for the congratulations! I really have enjoyed it so far. Kawai Piano Center in Houston, Tx has been great to work with.

kawaifans1025

Thanks for the Congrats! been playing it all day. A joy to play!

Rickster!

Thanks for the Congrats. You have a great day!