Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Any info re: the new Kawai CE220?

You're kidding, right?

Sorry to the OP and don't mean to hijack their thread but yes I believe $4800 was quoted! Given I got quoted $2600 for the mp6. I just don't know what to do. I really like the Kawai Dp's but I'd like to pay a fair price!!

KawaiJames my husband suggested I contact Kawai directly to let them know what is happening. I don't think this would help any nor who to contact. Is there somebody to contact to talk about shady dealings? It's like the prices are whatever the dealer feels like, then when I actually want to buy they raise the price again!

Again sorry to the original poster but my frustration is at an all time high!!

If that is the case, then I have a better idea about how to solve this "problem":

why not just dump them into cheap midi controllers?

You don't even need to spend that much time (or money) on the design; just remove (most of) the internal electronics of the MP8II - and release the rest around 1000 - 1200 EUR.

That would be an instant win.

(OK, I must stop dreaming now.)

Kristof

Calm down :-) . As I told, try in different places. I know that at least Merriam is willing to ship and sell for 'normal' prices. And it is local, local I mean, Toronto, and I am from Nova Scotia.

Yes I am frustrated it's true. I will check Merriam. It never occurred to me to check Canadian online retailers. (well actually I checked the ones I am aware of just didn't know about the one you mentioned. I am excited there might be hope for an mo6 in my future yet! Thanks fir the tip!

There are email addresses to relevant departments on the Kawai America website.

Kind regards,
James
x

That's an interesting suggestion.

This is a very interesting discussion--(don't worry about "hijacking" it--I don't mind!)I just wanted to share that AZpianowholesale.com had offered me a great price on both the MP6 and the CE200 back in DEcember (then we decided to wait until the NAMM show to see what new DP's were going to come out.)His price, including shipping and no tax, was the lowest I found anywhere, but you have to call or email--he isn't allowed to advertise prices lower than Kawai's "lowest advertised price" for each model. By the way, he has posted quite a few sound/song samples of the MP6 on his review blog. Has anyone ever bought anything from him before? Just curiuos.

This is a very interesting discussion--(don't worry about "hijacking" it--I don't mind!)I just wanted to share that AZpianowholesale.com had offered me a great price on both the MP6 and the CE200 back in DEcember (then we decided to wait until the NAMM show to see what new DP's were going to come out.)His price, including shipping and no tax, was the lowest I found anywhere, but you have to call or email--he isn't allowed to advertise prices lower than Kawai's "lowest advertised price" for each model. By the way, he has posted quite a few sound/song samples of the MP6 on his review blog. Has anyone ever bought anything from him before? Just curiuos.

By the way, if it's not a closely guarded secret, could you please give us some insight about how Kawai makes it's decision about product development? Are you doing marketing research to test new ideas?

Would it help if you someone quickly collected hundreds of subscriptions encouraging Kawai to produce a AWA-PRO-II / RM3 based midi controller?

Thank you:

Kristof

I'm very keen for Kawai to be more open and transparent about various aspects of the company (including the research and development of its instruments), and I certainly appreciate the interest from yourself and other PW regulars about future Kawai instruments. However, I'm afraid I don't believe it would be terribly appropriate to discuss this topic on a public forum - I hope you can understand that.



It would be interesting, yes. However, I would encourage you to spend your time on other pursuits, such as playing your new CN23.

I believe a successful company is one that listens closely to its consumers. However, for one reason or another, it's not always possible to deliver exactly what folks are looking for all the time.

Kind regards,
James
x

I'm very keen for Kawai to be more open and transparent about various aspects of the company (including the research and development of its instruments), and I certainly appreciate the interest from yourself and other PW regulars about future Kawai instruments. However, I'm afraid I don't believe it would be terribly appropriate to discuss this topic on a public forum - I hope you can understand that.

Yep, that makes perfect sense.

Don't worry, James, I try to find the time play it
(I plan to post some recordings soon.)

However

a) that's something I can't do while I am at work (unlike stalking PW forums), and

b) I have already arranged an update (CN-23 -> CN-33) with my local dealer back in November, but they still could not ship it - that's why I am still keeping an eye on new Kawai products. (Who knows, I might find something I like better.)

Best wishes:

Kristof

There is a good review of the new Kawai CE220 here:

http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-kawai-ce220-digital-piano.html

It's a pity the review does not even mention the CA series (especially the CA-13), which seems to be a closest competitor to this model.

Probably because the CA13 is not sold in the US.

James
x

+1

Please, take into account:
let-off
ivory feel (why in CE220 is missing?)

Qbert, the CE220 uses the older AWA Grand Pro II action, which does not feature let-off simulation or Ivory Feel keys surfaces.

James
x

Although this part sounds far-fetched to me:



1. $1800 for the CN23? Where did he get those figures? Should not it be a few hundred lower?

(But OTOH, I am working from the European prices, so my guess might be totally wrong.)

2. "competition" between CN23 and CE220? There is no competition; the CE220 is in a completely different category...

Kristof

So, bringing it to common currency:

• Lowest entry point for Kawai wooden action in the USA: CE200, 1699 USD
• Lowest entry point for Kawai wooden action in western Europe: CA13, 2034 USD (converted from 1555 EUR, Thomann's current price)
• Lowest entry point for Kawai wooden action in Hungary (Central Europe): CA13, 2404 USD (converted from 539 000 HUF, today's price from Hungary's one and only Kawai dealer.)

The bottom line is, to get a Kawai wooden action, Europeans need to pay 20% more than their American peers - and if you are from Central/Eastern Europe, then the number is even higher, about 40%.

Can anybody offer a rational explanation for this?

Thank you for your help:

Kristof