Hi,

I am a new member to this forum and will be upgrading to a grand piano, hopefully within a few months. I have been playing piano and taking lessons for 6 months (at the age of 24) and am serious about becoming a decent pianist in the future. I practice about an hour a day.

My goal is to play intermediate pieces in the future, majority classical style. Currently, I am playing on a 1962 Story & Clark console. I would like to upgrade to a piano with a great tone, which will make playing and practicing much more enjoyable at home. My father has a Yamaha M213B upright that sounds 10 times better than my story and clark.

I have decided that I would like to upgrade to a grand piano, and have been doing research for the last month. After playing on grands and uprights, I have decided that I enjoy the feel, sound, and look of the grand. Therefore, I will only consider upgrading to a grand piano. Although, a studio upright would be more appropriate for my budget.

I have set a budget for 9k for my next piano. The room that my new piano will go in is 11 X 18'. Here is what I have in mind:

Option 1
New Yamaha GB1 4'11"
-I have read mixed reviews on this piano. Some people say it is great and a tremendous improvement from the GA1. Others, say that it just doesn't cut it. Unfortunately, Larry Fine didn't comment on this one in his latest edition. I have played on this piano several times, while at the dealer. I love the tone on this piano, while the bass sounds respectable for its size. I don't care about the Indonesia gossip that's going on with this instrument. It's a Yamaha, yamaha standards.
-My worries about this piano is resale value and fulfilling my needs as I get better in the future. Will this piano be enough to satisfy me for the next 15-20 years? I don't want to upgrade for a long time, if ever.

Option 2
Used 1989 Kawai GS-40 6'1" (Serial 1881751)
-I have not really heard too much about this piano. Can anyone tell me how they like this model? Larry Fine hasn't really commented on this specific model in his earlier editions.
-This piano is for sale in my local newspaper and I already went to go see it. I haven't had it checked out by my piano tech, but it looks to be slightly less than mint condition. There are a few surface scratches on the finish. 1 foot pedal and 1 bass key need to be adjusted.
-One thing that I noticed with this piano is that it had great bass. At 6'1" with duplex scaling, it sounded great. But, on the other hand the treble was not too powerfull. It seems to me that the GB1 has a more prominent sound at higher notes (especially an an octave above middle c). So with this piano, you have to play the treble much harder than the bass to even everything out. It would seem to me that the higher notes are more important than the bass, which seems to be accommodating the music anyway.
-This piano has excellent bass, but what's up with the treble? Is this normal for an instrument like this? It seems like my story and clark has a louder (not clearer) sound at higher notes.

The Yamaha dealer quoted me $8600 for the GB1. In everyone's opinion, is this a good price for a new piano in the Michigan area? I was thinking $8100 or maybe $7700 with a trade would be more realistic for me (my story and Clark is in mint condition and holds its tone very well).

The GS-40 owner is asking 8k. I don't think she will get that much money for it. According to Larry Fine, a piano that's 16 years old is worth around 55% of it's original value. Ok, let's say 53% because it is under mint. So that's around $6800, minus for the scratches.....$6500.

Now, assuming that the GS-40 has no significant problems, other than a few adjustments is this piano worth around 6500-6800? Can we compare this instrument to an older G2, or newer C1 in quality? I would just like to learn more about this model.
Is the rim as think as what a Yamaha C1 is today or a Kawai RX today. What grade piano is this...I believe it sold for 13k new in 1989.

How about the GB1? Would it be more wise to start fresh with a new GB1, without the worries of a 16 year old piano? It does have a great sound in the higher notes, without having to try so hard to do so.

I would only like to consider only japanese pianos and nothing less. I really appreciate Yamaha and have heard nothing but the greatest reviews about them. Our local symphony uses them, not to mention popular musicians.

On the other hand, I haven't heard too much about Kawai. I have heard that they are the Yamaha equivalent and believe it. In fact, I was at a Kawai dealer and the owner was saying that the Yamaha GB1 is a poor piano and so on (just as I expected). Kawais and Yamaha rate the same in Larry Fine's books. But, to a neutral reader, it seems like he is slightly biased against Yamaha for some odd reason.

Sorry about the length, but I would appreciate any recommendations (besides consulting with my piano tuner and teacher) on which model to go for. Also, any information on the GS-40 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

That Kawai could have a soundboard problem if there is noticeably less power in the treble.
And the Yamaha is too short to produce a decent bass tone.
I'd say keep looking at other used pianos, I'm sure you'll find a good one. Especially if you don't look as much at the brand name and trust your ears and hands.
Of course, have it checked out by a specialist before buying.

Calin

I'd go with the new Yamaha, if it sounds and feels good to you. Of course, I am biased, as I own a GB1. It's been good for me, so far.
Good luck and good hunting...

The price you have on the GB1 is excellent. Their are Yamaha dealers who are getting $10K for this very piano. Its in high demand and hard to get from Yamaha.

As far as your trade, the used piano business is a bit slow in some areas and the dealer may not be able to give you much. You can always attempt to sell it privately, but you may get less privately than what the dealer can give you on trade. It all depends on your local market.

I do like Kawai's as well. (okay that was random)

I would think that the GB1 would resale better for you, even if you have to sell in the near future. Yamaha pricing isn't getting any cheaper and they are always in demand.

I have a 1987 Kawai CA-40 which is the Japanese verson of the GS-40. I love the sound and have not noticed any lack of treble in my personal instrument. My tech says it has a great tone and wants to use it to make a demo CD. (He plays jazz too) That said, Kawai's tend to be more mellow in the treble than Yahamas which is why I personally prefer Kawai.

Yahamas tend to be great pianos in conjunction with a band as it's brighter notes can cut through the sound of the other instruments. As a solo instrument I'm not crazy about them.

Personally, I think that if the Kawai checks out ok, I'd take it in a heartbeat for $6500. That is a really good price. I guess it boils down to what kind of sound and action you prefer. Don't be motivated by price alone.

It's worth reading this review: Yamaha GB1 Wendl&Lung comparison
The GB1 has a few details that are worth considering before you buy one. For instance: the fixed (ie. non movable) music desk. As through age your sight is likely to deteriorate slightly with the GB1 desk you won't be able to bring the sheet music closer or further accordingly.

I work with restored and new pianos.

I would recommend Wendl & Lung Professional 1 or as it's also called 161(cm) baby grand piano(Hailun in the USA) as a great new alternative. Well built with Duplex scaling (Invented by Theodore Steinway) and other features that have some piano restorers and technicians warm to it.

All the best, I recommend going to a dealer/restorer or getting a tuners advice as they know what pianos keep their quality over time.

If your in the UK then some of the older English baby grands can be less expensive than the GB1 like Chappell, Challen or Kemble and have a great tone. The main reason they are priced less is because they aren't as well known as the German pianos but a good one of these are are within reach of the tonal quality.

Evnmove, you do realize this thread is over 5 yrs. old?

Yes, sorry. I'm new to this. Thank you for letting me know.

Sometimes old threads seem to pop up out of nowhere...just wanted to make sure you were aware.