I am new to pianos and this forum.

Could some one provide insight and thoughts on comparing pre-owned pianos between a 1 year old Kawai RX-3 with a 7 or 8 year Boston GP 178. The price difference is about $3K, RX-3 at mid $17K and 178 at mid $14K). The piano is for learning.

Thanks so much.

Hello, fhrv!

Welcome to the Forum!

I have been searching between these two instrument as well. I am planning to buy a grand piano for practice.

Well, the main issue comparing these two grands is that both are made in the same factory. Yes, Bostons are made in KAwai factory in Japan on the order from Steinway. So, basically, both are of one and the same origin.

As for RX-3 - this is the grand I am planning to buy now. These days I've been playing it quite a lot. It is bigger then the Boston you mentioned, as you probably know - it is 186 sm, which is better if you search for the instrument for practice.
However, you should consider, that RX have rather deep bass, and if you plan to keep this grand at home practice room, you'll need a good piano tech to regulate it in accordance with your needs. Although, the same would refer to Boston you mentioned. Besides, it also depent on what level you are. Chosing between these instument prove you being a serious piano player, so I do not ask about it, since these instrument would be be good for advance pianist, or the one with serious intentions:)

As for price differences, during my own investigation I learned that since Bostons are made by the order of Steinway, which is a big name indeed, of course the price of the instrument rise, not because of the quality though, but due to the big name which is written at the courner of it. And, of course, with Boston, you'd pay also for the emotions you get from buying "the one from Steinways family", but mind, technically, it is not really so. The outcome is that, whith new grands, Boston is almost twice as expensive then Kawai, mainly because of the name written on it. Nothing to say that "Boston" has nothing to do with Boston (USA).

This price difference stays actual in your case as well. 1-year Kawai (supposdely kept in decent conditions) is basically a new Kawai. If you were considering a 7-8 year old KAwai, it would cost you much less then 14$K, not because of the quality, again, but name.

I want to mention again that Bostons are good instruments as well, but a bit over-priced, in my opinion.

If I could find a 1-year-old Kawai RX3 for such a price in my region (Russia), I would not think a minute! really, the only Kawai we have in here, is new RX-3 at 25,800$ (!) and RX7 at 44,000$.


Anyways, chosing the right grand for learning is a very personal and very serious thing. So, play both instruments, think your sensations over, and you will feel which grand is yours. It will tell you, really. And with such a purchase, the price difference is a very relative thing.

I wish you good luck!

BTW.....which piano do you like better?

If you like the "cheaper" piano better (or at least as well as the other), then there's no issue -- get the Boston.

If you like the Kawai better, then......assuming you can afford the cost, which it seems you can, wouldn't the question just be whether mid-17K is a good price for it, not whether the Boston is a better buy??

Your question makes it sound like this is just a financial question. I don't think it is. IMO it starts with which one you like better.

Buy the piano, not the deal.

Ask the reps to play the pianos for you, then you play them chromatically - one key at a time. You can also play simple chords. Have the rep show you Middle C. Put your right hand thumb on the C, your middle finger on the white key two keys to the right - that's E - and your pinkie on the white key two keys to the right of the E - that's G and that makes a C chord. Keep the same spacing and move your hand up one white key at a time until your thumb rests on the C which is two C's above Middle C. That's the range of most of the melodies that you'll be playing with your right hand. You can also use your left hand to play chords down the keyboard. Keep the same spacing, i.e., every other white key and play down two octaves. (As you play lower, the chords tend to get muddy.) Which piano do you prefer? Why?

If you enjoy playing the chords, start again at Middle C. See how softly you can play each piano. Then play with some force. You can ask the rep to show you an acceptable level of force - or to do it for you.

Don't worry about not playing well. You're not being auditoned, the pianos are. The reps will be glad to have a prospect in their showroom.

Choosing a piano is ultimately an emotional decision. We often react differently on different days, so multiple auditions are preferred. Patience and persistence.

FogVilleLad -- GREAT POST.
That's what I was saying too, but I didn't tell him how to do it, and you did. I was talking to him as if he could just sit down and play, even though he said the piano would be for learning.

Mark,

Thanks for the kind words.

DavidH

There is a major differenece in the actions of these two pianos as well as in the belly.

The Kawai has the Millennium III carbon-fiber action which, IMO has significant advantages over the wood action in the Boston. The Boston has a wider tail, providing it an advantage in tone quality.

It is a decision that comes down to a judgement call on the OPs part.

Only buy the Boston if your decision is over when you really prefer the way the fat lady sings.

Not everyone was snoozing during pianomadam's piano design seminar.

If the Boston is already 7 to 8 years old I would have checked by an independent tech the tuning stability or at least the pin block.

From a Steinway distributor I know there were issues of that matter in the past and that they decided to change to new pin blocks some 1,5 to 2 years ago, an issue wich will be dealt with now in the new 'Performance Series' I suppose.

schwammerl.

Get the RX-3. It's newer and people recognize Kawai and Yamaha names. It may be easier to sell down the road and that is a great price for a virtually new piano. The new action is awesome. I have a new RX-2. You will be very happy with your piano.