Hello everyone! I'm brand new to this forum, so please be patient with me! I'm in the process of choosing my first piano. I'm trying to keep an open mind and considering both new and used instruments. So far my choices are as follows(not in any particular order): Albert Weber AW48, Young Chang YP48 Platinum Series, Kawai K3, and a Boston UP118E. The Boston is the most expensive of the group and would be a bit of a stretch to buy brand new, so I have looked at a couple of used ones that put it more in my price range. While I don't find any major faults with these models, I tend to gravitate toward the Kawai K3. There are some similarities between the Young Chang & Albert Weber, although the Weber has a Renner Action and is a lower tension design and is a bit warmer sounding than the Young Chang. I know the Boston is built in the Kawai factory, but is an entirely different design than the K3. The Boston also has all wood action parts as opposed to the high-tech plastics used by Kawai. The Kawai felt better to me and was more responsive than the Boston! I like the feel of some of the Yamaha U Series pianos, but I'm not in love with the way they sound as they're much too bright for my liking! Am I on the right track? Are there other specific brands/models I should take a closer look at? Any thoughts, opinions, reccomendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hi, and welcome to the Piano World forums!

All those pianos are very nice instruments. You say you liked the feel and sound of the Kawai better than some of the others you mentioned; That is a great start in making your decision. In the end, the piano you like best, is the best piano for you!

Good luck, and keep us informed!

Rick

Welcome to the forum, krellman7. You are definitely on the right track. It sounds to me from some of the comments you made that you've gotten an earful from a Boston salesperson. Do not let the reference to the "plastic" action of the Kawai give you any qualms. If you search the archives, you will see that the Kawai actions are equal to if not better than traditional actions in terms of longevity and performance. I personally find the Kawai actions to be the best I've ever played in terms of smoothness and feel.

If you've got wiggle room in your budget, try to play and compare the K5 to the K3. Many here believe the K5 to be a significant jump in sound quality.

Those are great options. If I had not purchased a small grand, I would likely have purchased the K3. It's a great piano. As Monica says, the K5 is even a bit nicer, but I thought the K3 was surprisingly good.

I hope you find the one that speaks to you!

Good luck,
Mike

Thank you to each of you for your replies! I'm so glad I found this website and forum and have been learning a lot! Monica you are correct, I got quite a lengthy sales pitch from the salesperson regarding the Boston upright! After playing the K3 I don't think I could justify spending the difference for the Boston. I'm going back to the Kawai dealer this coming Saturday to try a K5. From everyone's comments it sounds like the additional money would be better spent of the K5! Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Monica you are correct, I got quite a lengthy sales pitch from the salesperson regarding the Boston upright! After playing the K3 I don't think I could justify spending the difference for the Boston. I'm going back to the Kawai dealer this coming Saturday to try a K5. From everyone's comments it sounds like the additional money would be better spent of the K5! By the way Monica.....I checked out your videos on YouTube.....very nice.....I hope one day I'll be able to play as well as you do!

The NeoTex keytops on the K-5 and above are quite addictive.

Not to hijack a thread, but can anyone tell me if the K6 or K8 are significantly better than the K5? I wrote to a nearby dealer and he has the K5 on premises but just sold 2 k6 models and would have to order it for me if I want it. I hesitate to buy a piano before I play it although he offers a free voicing with the first tuning and I know he is a top-notch tech/dealer. He said both customers tried the K5 and liked it but opted for the taller K6. I was actually thinking of the K8 because of the sostenuto pedal but also an order.

That's my experience, from having many opportunities to play both pianos at lessons.

From a limited sampling at a dealer's, the K-6 is an upgrade tone-wise to the K-5. The difference between the K-5 and K-6 is not as great as the difference between the K-3 and K-5, IMHO.

As Monica says, if there is a budget for it.