Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai CE220 for $850 - Buy now?

You may remember me from this thread:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1889075.html

A Kawai CE220 jsut came out on craigs list with a list price of 850. What are your thoughts on this model? It is my understanding that the wooden keys and key action are pretty good about this model. But I'm not convinced about the sound quality. What do you think? Do you think I should run and get it at $850?

Thanks.

Its pretty much the same thing as the CE200 but this time it has wooden keys. So, basically...look up some reviews on the CE200 on this site or somewhere else and you have your answer.

No, the CE200 had wooden keys also.

Actually, the CE200 and CE220 keyboard actions are both 'AWA Grand II'.

The CE220's main improvement over the original CE200 is the sound upgrade, from the older 'Harmonic Imaging' technology to the vastly superior 'Progressive Harmonic Imaging' type, with 88-key piano sampling.

In many ways the CE200 is very similar to the CN33, but with wooden keys.

If it is indeed a CE220, this instrument is at most just a few months old. If you're in the market for a good quality mid-range piano with a highly regarded keyboard action, yes, run and get it.

Cheers,
James
x

Oh, if this is only a few months old, then the model must not be accurate. The guy says in the ad "bought in 2010, only 2 years old", yet links to

http://www.kawaius.com/main_links/digital/PRO_2012/ce220.html

I'll have to clarify with him to see exactly what he's selling

Ah, I get the impression he's selling the older CE200.

It's still a good instrument, however the mature sound technology rather lets it down.

Cheers,
James
x

Kawai James, what are your thoughts on the Kawai CA5 model? One came out on craigslist today for $1450, purchased brand new in 2008. I think it may be overpriced?

ggould, the CA5 is largely the same as the CE200 (albeit with the slightly older first generation AWA Grand keyboard action).

I agree that it's also overpriced...I also am sceptical that it was purchased in 2008 as the CA51 would already have been in stores by this time.

Cheers,
James
x

So we have just found that this is likely a "200", not a "220". Wait until it has been un-sold for a while and offer half his asking price. Used digital pianos are not so easy to sell and he might just still have this weeks from now. At $425 it is not a bad deal. Remember that you can buy a brand new Casio PX130 for just a bit more than 450 and it has a good modern sound engine inside and the action is not bad.

OK so after you buy the CE200, you will find it has some really good keys but the sound will drive you nuts after a while especially in headphones. So, go back to Craigslist and find a used Apple Mac "mini". Conect that to the MIDI out on the CE200. Load the Mac Mini with some inexpensive piano sample library and now the sound is dramatically improved and also upgradable.

I find that on Craigslist most people selling digital pianos have very unrealistic expectations about price. Many of these pianos get relished and relished for weeks. The sellers thing only about what they paid for the piano when new, now what current models are selling for now.

If your budget is only about $500, the new casio is what you should look at. Certainly don't spend more on a used piano with sound that is not as good.