I'm really trying to follow advice given previously about testing as many pianos as possible as I shop for a grand, including high end/out of reach and (much) more affordable for my budget. For the latter category, does anyone have experience with or thoughts about the Kawai GE-30? This one would be of pretty recent vintage (2008, I think). I guess I'm especially interested in hearing more about the ramifications of the differences Fine describes between the GE and the RX series, as I already know that a 5'5" grand is limited of necessity b/c of its size. The main player in our household is studying classical music, by the way. The other two players dabble in a variety of genres. Thanks, as usual, for advice.

Basically the GE30 is an RX-1 in a stripped down cabinet.

Hi SNC,

I bought a 2008 GE 30 last year and traded it a few months later for the RX 2 I have now. I didn't really find any difference in the actions of the pianos, both with the Millennium III. I bought mine before the round of price increases. My dealer carefully showed me the build differences in the two but most of the important parts were equal. I don't remember the specifics of the differences right now but a lot were cosmetic including the use of MDF for the lid instead of wood. Also I believe some difference in the key bed but I might be mistaken there since I was comparing a lot of pianos at the time.

I only had it a few months but it seemed sturdy and well built. It had a very pleasing tone. My dealer stocked fewer of the RX 1 which is the same size as the GE 30 because of the price difference. He told me that if people were willing to spend the extra amount they would usually go for a larger piano as well. You might find that the extra 5 inches doesn't really occupy as much space as you think it will unless you are really tight for room.

Good luck in your search,

ED: I misread as your post regarding size limitation.

Thanks for responding. If I can follow up: I see where Fine says that the difference between GM and GE grands is mostly the cabinetry (the GM being simpler), but he does make more distinctions between the GM/GE and the RX. He talks about the RX series having tapered soundboard, thicker/stronger rim, duplex scaling, new Millennium III action, etc. And then he says that some of these features are now available on the GM/GE series. But I don't know how long that has been the case (i.e., whether these features are on the piano I looked at) or how in very practical terms these distinctions might end up mattering to us (as amateurs) down the road. The piano actually sounded better to me than two Steinway M's I've played recently (both kind of muffled), but the different acoustics of the rooms doubtless impacted my perception. At any rate, the Kawai is tempting as far as the problem that the more expensive the piano I buy, the more years it'll be until I can afford to retire.

Thanks--I hadn't read your post before I wrote the one that appears below it. Helpful info!