Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Used Yamaha CF6 vs New Yamaha C3X or Kawai GX3

They cannot possibly be equal to the Iconic group because they are not iconic(in the true sense of the word) 😆

I feel priviledged to live in country where honesty is still valued. I would find it quite depressing to assume that dealer tech would try to sell me instrument instead of describing technical status of the particular instrument. How sad is that?

when you value honesty and live in a country where honesty is valued, not everyone will have those same values of honesty. I view setting up a situation where you do not test the limits of someone else’s honesty as not being sad—- but being pragmatic. Otherwise, you will occasionally be put in the unnecessary position of being seriously disappointed.

I feel it’s a mistake to equate honesty with objectivity. If a piano technician does the prep and tuning for a piano dealership, he/she’s evaluated the pianos and prepped them as they see fit. For used pianos sold by a dealer it is advisable to get a 2nd set of trained eyes and ears to inspect the used piano. The 2nd trained tech may see or hear something that the first tech missed. Nothing says you have to get a 2nd opinion but it does provide additional reassurance.

Would you rather have a brand new out-of-the-box piano or a 2016 floor model you like that is 20% discounted? Both come with a 10-year warranty.
Are there any issues with floor models that would be of concern? Obviously, it's not brand new and has been played by many people. How many hours of usage it has, hard to tell. During the pandemic showrooms were closed so there is that and the seller claims it was opened in 2018.

Yes, good point. Given that I have several choices from techs that are not employed by the seller, why not go with that option, which, if nothing else, increases the likelihood of impartiality?

The floor model would probably be the superior purchase, aside from the date itself making the instrument seem like it would have more "miles" on it. Having been on the floor, this piano would have received a lot of maintenance and tuning which will make it a very stable piano for a long time. New, out-of-the-box pianos take a while to settle down in your home - especially with regard to tuning, but also the way to hammers play in. I'd take a floor model at a discount, definitely. Plus you've actually heard the floor model - that's also preferable to getting a piano that is supposedly identical but possibly (probably?) isn't.

Floor model if well prepped and you like it. Unless you’re going to turn around and sell in 5 years.

Thanks.

Well, the GX3 is out because of price, since we like it the same as the C3X, which costs less. I think I can get the seller lower asking price down to $35K Canadian (28K US) including tax, which is $7K cheaper than what the GX3 dealer's bottom line.

So that means, it's down to the CF6 for $52K or the C3X for $35K.

That would be a great deal on a C3X, if you can get it. If you like them pretty much the same, use or save the $17k difference.

IMO, C3X is the way to go. The piano has 10 years warranty, you will be the first owners, and you save $17K.

Which piano would be more suitable for the room? The CF6 in the Yamaha London showroom impressed me as powerful instrument.

That's what I'm leaning towards. My daughter liked them almost the same, I liked the CF6 more than she, especially the bass, which was its best feature.

Oh and entering the mix just today (the seller just received a few mid 80s Kawais from Japan) are a Kawai GS-50 and GS-30. We haven't tried them yet but I've heard good things about these older Kawai models and the price would be, likely, less than half of the C3X. Hopefully, we can play them this weekend and make a decision soon.

I think both will be suitable. I'll put it in the living room, which joins the dining room, for a total enclosed area of 35 feet by 13 feet and 8 feet ceiling.

According to one source online, the combined length of a room's walls (assuming that the room's ceiling is 8 feet high) should be at least 10 times the length of a grand. So the combined length of my room's walls are 35x2 + 13x2 = 96 so the 7-foot CF6 should have no issues fitting in.

IMO, this is not a good idea. Japanese pianos have come a long way quality wise since then. I would just discard the offer whatever the price is.

I know what you mean, it feels like a step down from the newer models that I've been considering, especially, as you point out, given the advances made since the 1980s.
But I read that the GS were the Shigerus of that time, and were intended for professional pianists and were beautifully made.

I believe Kawai actions from that era were even more heavier than today's MIII actions. Around 65-70 grams maybe.

Your daughter is young and she will probably be playing many more years from now on. I would go with a new piano.

She will not be playing many more years regularly at home but during vacations from college.

The GS series pianos that I’ve played in the last 10 years are no match for the many Shigeru Kawai pianos I’ve played. Don’t believe everything you read. They were supposed to be a step up and had different scale designs (if memory serves) from the KG series of a similar period. There were prototype models that were more similar to the Shigeru, like the RXA. I’ve never heard that label attached to the GS series.

Correct. The GS series is nothing more than the predecessor to the RX series. They are NOT Shigeru level pianos. Only the very hard to come by RXA model was on a higher tier comparable to the later Shigeru. GS pianos are getting on in years, and are not considered anything remarkable - although a well-maintained example can be perfectly serviceable.