The word on the street is that Samick has killed Kohler and Campbell. And yet today at lunch I saw a brand new K&C KIG-52D.

There's no mention of this in the Piano Buyer or on SMC's website. It was a really new and raw piano, a bit out of tune, but it felt good. Compared to a Kawia GM-12 next to it, the sound was clearer/brighter and the action a bit lighter.

I'm giving this piano some serious consideration. I can find nothing on the Internets through Google. It must be a new design?

If the price is right, this might be the one. If the price is right. The same dealer had a new Kawai GE-20 in mahogany polish, they offered $17,000. That's $3000 more than what a new GE-30 is going for locally.

You have dealers selling a new GE-30 for $14,000?

Samick owns so many scale designs that anything is possible. They made a 5'1.5" design for Story & Clark for a while until recently. Since K&C name is coming off the market, it could be new production but finished with old decals or it could be reassigned stock from an overrun of another brand or partnering manufacturer. KIG is a more recent designation, but the D...is there anything about the cabinet style? I would reference the last available pricing from the KIG-50 & KIG-54 for your purposes.

If the price is right, go for it.

Yeah.

Sam, there is nothing different about the cabinet, at least cosmetically. Same music desk, etc as the other K&Cs I've seen. They offered 30% off what would roughly be the SMP between the 50 and 54. They will tune it tomorrow and if it sounds good, I may very well get it. It fits the space and the touch is good.

So shopping at a restricted budget and space is all about compromise. To make a long story short, the K&C KIG-52D is now in my living room.

It is really squeezed in, but it fits. I like the action quite a bit, it's even, not too heavy, not too light. Tonally, it is not ideal, but that comes with the territory.

I'm looking forward to my technician getting her hands on it. If past performance is any indication of future results, she'll have it sounding its best.

A grand is different from an upright. It's quite an adjustment, but a fun one.

Hey,

Your new piano looks right at home there! Congratulations on getting it.

I did see a blurb on a Canadian site that the KGC 500 is KIG 52 in Canada. Maybe you have one that wanted to escape the cold weather for the beach. Anyways, congratulations again.

David

Hi Plowboy- I'm also considering a K&C (model is KCM 500). So how do you like the piano so far? how big is your piano? the one i'm interested is 5'1" and it should fit perfectly in my home. but I'm still doing research on the make and build of the instrument. also, do you mind to let me know the price you got? feel free to PM me if you prefer to keep that offline. thanks!

So, it's Canadian, eh? And thanks.



I haven't measured it, but the dealer said 5'2". At first I wasn't sure I did the right thing, but I've had it about two weeks now, and I'm starting to really like it. Once it gets tuned and voiced I think it will suit me fine. I'm getting used to the grand action and think it is a real plus.

As for the price, it wasn't the best I could have done. I could have gone to another Samick dealer and gotten a similar piano much cheaper, but it would have been delivered right out of the warehouse in a box. This piano is the one I tried at the dealer, and they tuned and voiced it for me once I expressed an interest in it. I noticed a slight mar in the finish on the rim, and they are sending a fellow out to work on that. So, I believe there is some value in the extra cost.

The KCM is, if I read Larry Fine correctly, an higher grade piano than the KIG. If you like the touch and tone on it, I don't think you'll be going far wrong. I looked for a KCM-500 and never found one.

This is not the piano I set out to buy. But it fit my very limited budget. Maybe someday there will be an upgrade in my future, but right now I'm looking forward very much to exploring this piano.

Congratulations Plowboy. Enjoy your new piano!