I've been looking for over 2 months for my kids. there are only 2 piano dealers around and I've been scouring the classifieds. I started out wanting to buy a console, but through education and seeing different consoles, I think we would be much happier with an upright. Looked at Yamaha and didn't care for the sound (not rich enough for my tastes). Didn't care for Baldwin or Hardman either. Saw Kawai for the first time today, and I really did like it. I believe the model was a B-71. It was from 1976 but looked brand new in and out. I think the salesperson said it was close to a full size upright and that the new counterpart would cost $19k which is why they stock good condition used ones. They want $5,200 for it. I'm not sure if that's a good price or not? The salesman said it was a better choice than an entry level Kawai and I don't know if this is the case as well?

Maybe for that money we should be looking at reconditioned baby grands?

I would like to buy a good quality instrument that my kids will develop a sentimental attachment to and keep through college and beyond.

All info and input would be helpful!

Michelle

Seems way overpriced to me for a 35 year old upright. You could get a brand new Kawai K-2 upright for that price. The K2 is a top notch professional grade upright IMO.

Thank you! Not knowing much about pianos, I thought the price seemed high for an older piano, but the salesman claimed it was because it was the "professional" grade and its counterpart new was around $18 or $19k. I remember him mentioning the K2 and K3 (he didn't have any) and claiming they weren't "professional" and not as good quality!

Interesting. I can see why someone might say the K2 or 3 aren't "professional" grade because they are shorter than the 52" K8 (the MSRP $19K model:) but the action is exquisite and the tone (for the size) is great--lots of colour and easy to get a variety of timbres from. A sax player friend of mine just bought a K2 in the last 6 months and I've really enjoyed playing it the few times I've been over.

Good luck!

For $5200, you could buy a new Kawai K-2 with change, a UST-9 or, possibly, a K-3 -- if you're lucky. All three have Kawai's Millennium III action, which is quite good.

I'll admit bias here; I've owned a UST-9 for 2 1/2 years. I'm still quite happy. Excellent action and it sounds as good as you can expect for a 46.5" piano. And I really like the wide music rest.

$5200 is too much for the 35 year old Kawai. Are there other brand choices within a couple of hours of you?

Charles

Thank you both for your input. Hearing your responses, we will pass on the older Kawai. I emailed a local piano seller asking about buying a K2 and this was his response:

"I don't sell new kawai pianos because we have restored pianos from japan and if a person waits long enough (month or so) we get the large uprights close to current date. as i posted on one of the forums a short time ago to one person asking aobut the k2, I suggested the k25 because it is larger and more sellable/tradeable at a later date, plus better sound and tone. Here is a post to that person below is a 2002 models that is available...but not for long:


Post to question:
"to make a long story short. if you are going to spend about $4000+ for a 45" piano....why not look at the really top models of kawai and yamaha...especially U1, UX1, U3, U30A, UX5 and all of the kawai large pianos that beat out k2 and k3 etc. all are available for about the same price you would pay for a k2...These models above are the top of the lines....and you can sell and trade them. The k2 is a beginner piano.
Of course I am looking at musical considerations...maybe you just want a new kawai piano at the lowest cost.
anyway, dont pay more than about $3500+ a bit.
Here is a lot info on the models if you want to take the time to drill down and see what is what.
any questions...just write."

He is saying that he has this available:

The kawai k25, 48" upright, total price $4200, year 2002. Price includes all including sales tax.

Is that a good deal?

Like others mentioned, I'd check out some new K-series Kawais. The K6 is very nice, but maybe a little more than you want to spend. That's the only upright by Kawai that I have any significant experience with, but if the K3 and K5 are anything like it, you might enjoy them. Good luck!

Hi,

I was in a similar position a year ago: looking for a not-very-expensive piano for a begninner (me). And in my area I ended looking to brand new K2, K3 and several gray-market 30 years old U1 (lots of them here).

Finally I went for the K2. The K3 was too big for my apartment stairs (and U1 is even bigger). Probably I am biased, but I am happy with my purchase and I've not had any 'buyers remorse'. The millenium III action is the very same action found in the superior models.

My piano tuner (a whole life dedicated to working with pianos) always tells me that I have a piano that sounds quite well for the price and that it could stand against more expensive pianos, supposedly superior. He also tells me that I have enough piano for the years to come. I don't know if he has a hidden agenda (maybe someone with high oppinion of his piano tends to tune it more frequently?) but I would like to think that he is neutral.

Anyway, I think there is not a definitive answer for the question 'wich piano is best...?', or 'is this a good deal?'. Some models are better than others, but each individual piano is unique, and this is specially true for the second hand market. What I did is to try as many pianos as possible, and choose from the ones I liked the most. I would recommend to try the piano at the store before purchasing it, and make sure when delivered that you get the same piano that you played (look at the serial number).

Is a K25 48" upright, total price $4200, year 2002, a good deal? Sounds good, but when I was looking for pianos I learned in this same forum this and it was very useful (sorry, I don't remember the author):

"Buy the piano, not the deal".

Honestly, I found all the Kawai K series and U1s, used or new, to be perfectly suitable for a beginner... and there are many other brands that can be perfectly good. Good hunting.

Regards,
Kurt.-

Hard to see what agenda the tuner might be pursuing by giving you the hoo-rah over your K2. More likely he just knows what he likes and isn't shy about sharing his opinion. That seems to be common among piano tuners, guitar and violin luthiers and others who make a career of working on musical instruments. They feel their perspective is hard-won and are pleased to share it with you (not that your taste necessarily agrees with his).

Your seller doesn't seem to be a Kawai dealer, so take any comments against new Kawais with a grain of salt.

That said, the prices do show some consideration of depreciation vs. new. Like others suggested, play some new Kawais and play these used Kawais (plus all the other brands you are considering), pick your favorites, and go from there.

Maybe the dealer who only stocks used Kawai's is not for you. There must be another dealer; if we knew what part of the world you are in, it might be possible to suggest someone nearby.

The K-3 might be good for you. My main objection to this model is the nasty fold-out music rack, but it is a nice-sounding and -playing instrument in its price point. Kawai has some models close to that price-point that have a prettier case. The UST-9 Institutional Oak is a very comfortable and pleasant piano in-person. The Fino SI-16 Traditional 46" Rosina has a handsome case and a much more acceptable music desk.

If you haven't looked at the Charles Walter 1500, it is worth your trouble to find someone who carries it. It is a better-sounding instrument than you would expect for its size, has a full-width music desk and lovely fit-and-finish. It is shorter in height than many pianos; to my mind, a less frightening profile for young players.

Hearing that your young players are 8 and 12 years old cast this matter in a different light than it enjoyed when I said 'let the player select the piano.' Never mind that. You are a careful shopper with college educations to save for--- something the kids could hardly appreciate. Get something you like now, and which they will come to like once they have it.

Or you could chuck caution and just get a Kawai RX-2 and have done with it. It could become a family heirloom, and if matter go otherwise, you can sell it; it is desirable for resale and will hold its value against the declining value of the dollar pretty well after the first five to ten years. Anyway, they can certainly hardly complain that you didn't get them a nice piano.

Good luck with it.