Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
I'm thinking of buying a new upright. I'm considering one of the Kawai K series, as those seem to get positive comments as far as quality and sound goes. I was wondering what these actually sell for. It seems there are no prices listed anywhere.
If anyone could tell me what those sell for in the U.S. that would be great (I'm in California).
On a side note, I've been trying to listen to demos of pianos on youtube just to get a bead (I know one has to go and play them in person), but it's sort of amazing to me that stores go to the trouble of doing demonstrations, but use cell phones, and sometimes out of tune pianos. Or do a comparison, and play different things, or have the pianos in different rooms, and then, also recorded on a cell phone. It seems crazy that they don't do good recordings with proper mics, etc, if they are trying to sell stuff that is a lot of money in a world where most people buy digital.
I'm thinking of buying a new upright. I'm considering one of the Kawai K series, as those seem to get positive comments as far as quality and sound goes. I was wondering what these actually sell for. It seems there are no prices listed anywhere.
If anyone could tell me what those sell for in the U.S. that would be great (I'm in California).
On a side note, I've been trying to listen to demos of pianos on youtube just to get a bead (I know one has to go and play them in person), but it's sort of amazing to me that stores go to the trouble of doing demonstrations, but use cell phones, and sometimes out of tune pianos. Or do a comparison, and play different things, or have the pianos in different rooms, and then, also recorded on a cell phone. It seems crazy that they don't do good recordings with proper mics, etc, if they are trying to sell stuff that is a lot of money in a world where most people buy digital.
Okay, a little rant.
Anyway, thanks for any price info or suggestions.
I think the K series KAWAI are great, good reliable pianos. But I'd also check their direct competitors - YAMAHA YUS series, For a little more $$$$ you could check some others like Schimmel, Boston, and many other brands even Petrof (uprights, not grands).
Prices - you need to ask a dealer, as it will vary - and coming to end of financial year, there could be some deals around.
This might help.
With recordings on YouTube - you're right - but it's not going to happen. It is near impossible to get a recording unless the piano is in a recording studio - and - it's also a potentially expensive process, by the time the piano is moved there, re-tuned, a pianist is hired along with a sound engineer. Profit margins aren't good enough for that to happen.
The other thing which will happen is that "Fred the dealer" will spend thousands recording the ACME range of pianos, put them on YouTube. Then "Frederika the dealer" will go sell her ACME pianos at a lower price on the basis that they didn't spend a fortune recording them.
Then someone is going to say - I wanted an ACME K500 and you've tested a K600 and a K300. No, it's not going to happen.
Alan from Queensland, Australia (and Clara - my Grotrian Concert & Allen Organ (CF-17a)).
I hope to buy an upright in the next few years and am interested in the Seiler models that are relatively affordable. The Seilers made in Indonesia seem to be around $8k, while those made in Germany are over $40k! A used one is also a possibility.
The guy from Roberts Pianos compares them to Yamahas in this video:
Kawai is the only piano maker that has the correct specifications applied to the shape of the V-bar. They are shaping it to a true V-profile which eliminates the possibility of any string buzzes coming from that standard piano design feature. Tone is also clearer and the longevity of the strings is enhanced. (Getting manufacturers and rebuilders to shape V-bars correctly has been a "crusade" of mine since the late 1970's when I investigated what the V-bar shape should be.)
I don't know if they have implemented it in 100% of their new pianos, but I have seen it in some Kawai uprights over the last few years.
The V-bar is the termination point for the speaking length of the string located just below the tuning pins and above the action in a vertical piano. You can easily observe it if you open the top.
In a seemingly infinite universe-infinite human creativity is-seemingly possible. According to NASA, 93% of the earth like planets possible in the known universe have yet to be formed. Contact: toneman1@me.com
"Comparing a piano to Yamaha" is no longer a great feat: there's many as good or even better pianos on market already. And not only Kawai or Seiler. People get tired when I mention names, so relax: I won't. Try as many of the "newer brand" 52" uprights: you may be in for a surprise! Or even shock... Then use the money you saved for a nice little holiday! Appreciating a card from Rome if going there...
"Comparing a piano to Yamaha" is no longer a great feat: there's many as good or even better pianos on market already. And not only Kawai or Seiler. People get tired when I mention names, so relax: I won't. Try as many of the "newer brand" 52" uprights: you may be in for a surprise! Or even shock... Then use the money you saved for a nice little holiday! Appreciating a card from Rome if going there...
Some of the Boston uprights made in Japan are rather nice. The tone is quite mellow and a fairly good response.I really liked one U3 Yamaha I played. The tall Ed Seiler had a good tone also,but I thought some of the bass notes were rather muddy, (indistinct )I do not know if these have the special repeatition action.The touch was very ,very light.They are made in Indonesia. The K500 is very nice.The one K300 I played "buzzed" madly when the low Bflat was played Forte. The other one was on the same level as the new U1. The YUS5 Yamaha is a great piano but a few K more than the U3.It has German piano wire and grand piano hammers.The tone is rather mellow but singing. The Feurich Vienna 123 you had on the other seems like a good piano.I could not really judge the tone in that video. I hope you find your piano.
I'm thinking of buying a new upright. I'm considering one of the Kawai K series, as those seem to get positive comments as far as quality and sound goes. I was wondering what these actually sell for. It seems there are no prices listed anywhere.
If anyone could tell me what those sell for in the U.S. that would be great (I'm in California).
On a side note, I've been trying to listen to demos of pianos on youtube just to get a bead (I know one has to go and play them in person), but it's sort of amazing to me that stores go to the trouble of doing demonstrations, but use cell phones, and sometimes out of tune pianos. Or do a comparison, and play different things, or have the pianos in different rooms, and then, also recorded on a cell phone. It seems crazy that they don't do good recordings with proper mics, etc, if they are trying to sell stuff that is a lot of money in a world where most people buy digital.
Okay, a little rant.
Anyway, thanks for any price info or suggestions.
I think the K series KAWAI are great, good reliable pianos. But I'd also check their direct competitors - YAMAHA YUS series, For a little more $$$$ you could check some others like Schimmel, Boston, and many other brands even Petrof (uprights, not grands).
Prices - you need to ask a dealer, as it will vary - and coming to end of financial year, there could be some deals around.
This might help.
With recordings on YouTube - you're right - but it's not going to happen. It is near impossible to get a recording unless the piano is in a recording studio - and - it's also a potentially expensive process, by the time the piano is moved there, re-tuned, a pianist is hired along with a sound engineer. Profit margins aren't good enough for that to happen.
The other thing which will happen is that "Fred the dealer" will spend thousands recording the ACME range of pianos, put them on YouTube. Then "Frederika the dealer" will go sell her ACME pianos at a lower price on the basis that they didn't spend a fortune recording them.
Then someone is going to say - I wanted an ACME K500 and you've tested a K600 and a K300. No, it's not going to happen.
Regarding the recording, I suppose so...
although one could do better than a cellphone! A couple of decent mics and a good interface can be had pretty darn cheap.
Anyway, thanks very much to everyone so far for the replies and links.
I, too, am curious about brands better and cheaper than Kawai.
Also, what's the deal with this?
Lastly, can anyone recommend some reputable dealers in the Los Angeles and/or surrounding areas. I stress reputable! I have had the worst luck.
Of course, I just figured that people who were throwing out various brands of uprights might have some rough numbers in their heads, and could mention them, that's all.
I think a Bösendorfer 130 looks like a good upright to buy. Hahahaha. The OP should check that one out.
What about a Feurich 115 Premiere? Any thoughts? This model is small and relatively affordable, I think it can be purchased for around $5k. I have a small apartment and so a small, high quality upright would be enough for me.
I set out to find an upright piano with a Kawai K series upright in mind last year. After visiting a dozen piano showrooms, I ended up purchasing a 20 year old Charles Walter model 1520 from a private owner.
The sound of the Walter piano differs from that of the Kawai. To my ear the tone is fuller and more diffuse--"creamier", if you will accept my eccentric descriptor--and the bass has just as much presence as the best of the full-sized uprights I tried.
The feel is also very nice under my fingers. My perception puts it a touch on the heavier side, like a Kawai, with a keen response to my dynamic wishes.
Since you are looking for a K series as I was, I would encourage you to give Charles Walter a play or two. I found myself pleasantly surprised and ultimately impressed.
What about a Feurich 115 Premiere? Any thoughts? This model is small and relatively affordable, I think it can be purchased for around $5k. I have a small apartment and so a small, high quality upright would be enough for me.
If this is what this piano really sounds like ,it is very nice especially for $5k !
