Yes ... It is imported from Japan. That I knew initially. I think on one of the older forum strings, someone equated the CA series with the GS series. But, I can not find any information to verify that either.

Anyone else?

CD -

If you haven't already done so you should read page 54 in "The Piano Buyer."

Also - I recall that in the old thread where someone equated the CA to the GS - another person immediately refuted the claim saying that the GS series was of lesser quality - and the CA was more in line with the KG series.

I'm sure that the CA40 you are considring is a decent piano - but it is, after all, 20 years old - so be careful how much you pay. AND be sure to have a tech look at it before the purchase !!!

Yes ... we had both of the candidate pianos checked(the other is a Yamaha G3). And, the dealer was recommended by more than one individual.

The CA-40 sounds a little better (deeper tone - even to my untrained ear) and the G3 is slightly cheaper. The CA-40 has duplex scaling, the G3 does not (or at least I don't think it does). Other than that they both appear to be in excellent condition.

Yet,it does concern me I cannot find any information, of significance, about the CA series. Anyone?

It would be interesting to know what the final deciding factor is for you.

Well ... the piano is slated to be delivered this Thursday evening. We are going to go out and double check it one more time, and barring any insurmountable issues, bring it home (actually they load it up, moving it for us).

The deciding factor was the actual inspection, his piano teacher's approval and the price (including warranty, delivery and a couple of other goodies).

I called Kawai directly to try and get some information on this series, since none of local dealers had a clue. According to one of the reps, it was the Japanese equivalent of the GS series. It's features are identical. And, that the GS was generally considered to precede the RX series.

I am just a little surprised that with the wealth of experience here, no one seemed to know about this particular series of Kawai.

Anyway ... the search is over. Now to quickly figure out where to re-arrange everything!

Unfortunately for Kawai buyers/sellers, they change models habitually. I always wonder what the benefit of such frequent model number changes is. I've noticed several isolated models from the late 1980's - early 1990's and the CA-40 was among them.

I think pianobroker is this forum's resident expert on some of the lesser known Japanese models. Try him.

I'm not ready to be the final word on this, but my impression was that the CA-40 was a higher series than the KG of that time. I think it was a transitional predecessor to the RX (based on some features and chronology). They are good pianos. I'm sorry I'm not more help, the last time I saw a used one was almost 5 years ago.

be sure to add pic's when it's delivered

Quote:

I'm not ready to be the final word on this, but my impression was that the CA-40 was a higher series than the KG of that time. I think it was a transitional predecessor to the RX (based on some features and chronology).

That was what the rep at Kawai told me -or at least that was the impression he gave me with his very short description. It does have the duplex scaling which a couple of KGs that we test drove did not feature. And, it seems to have a richer tone.

I will post a picture as soon as it arrives and as soon as I can figure out how to upload one.

Thanks to everyone that provided information, opinions, and advice. It really helped, prompting us to be a little more cautious and discerning in our search.

My apologies for being late to the party.
The CA40 as many have mentioned is a gray market mdl.imported into the states. The CA40,CA40N and the NX40A were somewhat comparable to the GS40 which was the KawaiUSA (6'1")artist level grand in the late 80(s)early 90(s) being the predessesor to the present RX3. Of course ,back than,it did not have the millenium action but neither did the original RX3.

The difference in the CA40 and the CA40N and the NX40A was the ornate nose bolts and the neotex keytops. There may have been other subtle scale differences but both Yamaha and Kawai are very vague as for disclosing them. You have to figure them out on your own. The CA40,CA40N and the NX40A though case and size were very much like the GS40 had ABS hammer flanges but wood shanks unlike the USA GS30 and GS40.
The case was identical in that there was a CA60(6'9") which again was comparable to the the GS50 and GS60.

They (CA40) were or are a great piano having the premium quality Kawai hammers(orange underfelt).

In comparing the CA40 with the Yamaha G3, the CA40 is by far the superior piano. It is more comparable to a newer Yamaha C3.
To confuse the issue even more so,there was many different G3 scales though duplex to me is not really a deciding factor.

The CA series along with the GS series are superior to the Kawai KG series though the KG series are a quality piano.
Back than,Kawai did not have an artist level grand smaller than 6'1".
The 5'10" KG2C,D,E,A,S were as good as it gets being under 6'. The present 5'10" RX2 would be the upgrade from the KG2?.

So...I wouldn't cancel your delivery in that the CA40 is a fine piano,of course contingent on condition.

P.S. CA stands for "Chopin Anniversay"
Now you can educate your salesman

Thank you Pianobroker. That was a really helpful description and confirms what I found. We just took delivery of the piano.

I would post a picture, but apparently we need to have it posted on a URL first.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to our search. It was fun, but I am really glad its over!

WOW! I think this is the 4th purchase this morning.

Congrats!