Hello, everyone!
I am Lakeside, live in Beijing, China. Recently registered as a junior member of the piano world .However, I have been here for quite some time without posting a single subject . (My English is not so good, I'm using google translator to read your posts, and also using it to write this English post).
Honestly, it is "Piano World" which helping me to choose and buy the Shigeru Kawai SK-3 grand piano, which make me excited for quite some time. Today, I want to show you guys the very piano - the Shigeru Kawai SK-3, bought in Beijing in March 2011.

Dear Lakeside,
Welcome to the Pianoworld Forum. Unfortunately, the link showing the photos of your Shigeru Kawai SK3 did not work and an error message appeared.

Congratulations anyway on acquiring an outstanding piano!

Kind regards,
Robert.

Thank you Robert!
It seems the website for picture uploading does not work at this time. Every time I tired to upload my photo, there's always an error page shows up. I'll try again later.

Finally posted the photos!

Looks wonderful!

I noticed Larry Fine's " Piano buyer " while browsing "pianoworld ", I read about the acoustic piano part, to understand:
1. the professional tone quality of the grand piano, need the lengths of up to 5 feet and a half, so I gave up my original plan of buying baby grand piano, and not less than 5 feet 10 inches;
2. In 2007-08,Shigeru Kawai The SK Series grand piano, was inscribed on the World Piano quality rating of the most senior in the group C, the best quality and cost-effective world-class piano, for the first time I realized that I was able to get sucha good quality piano that used by many famous pianist , which is really too exciting! Plus SK Series Millennium III actions, natural dry Ezo spruce soundboard, the annual 250 manual production amount, and the world-renowned quality control reputation ...... So I finally turned to Shigeru Kawai SK grand piano from the "Boston" a few years ago.
One day in February 2011, I invited a piano teacher from Chinese Central Conservatory of Music Piano Department to Beijing's Parsons Music, which is a famous piano store in China. With his professional guide, so I can choose a fittin grand piano.
At first, I expected to buy a Shigeru Kawai SK-2 (about 5 feet 10 inches). My piano teacher in Parsons auditioned the Bosendrfer Fazioli As a comparison, respectively auditioned Shigeru Kawai SK-2, 3,5, and Kawai RX-2, 3,5. etc..
It is like god intended to be! Although I was for the first time to listen to the Shigeru Kawai SK series, I was attracted by its sound quality immediatly, bright and rich, sincere and a little implicit, especially suitable for playing Chopin‘s works ( I love Chopin ). I think the Shigeru Kawai SK is very muchly like Bocelli the tenor, withstand long-term appreciation.
The piano teacher almost tried all Shigeru Kawai SK model, finally he showed uncontrollable love to a SK-3, we had repeatedly played and listen to this one. SK-3's mid and high tone was not so different from SK-5, bass was stronger than SK-2, overall performance is very balanced. In that way, I made a decision, bought the Shigeru Kawai SK-3.

Congrats! It's a beautiful piano. I am close to making a decision on my piano purchase, and I keep coming back to the SK. It's a wonderful piano, especially for the price. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come.

Thank you, Amy B

What you say is very accurate

In 2011 March SK-3 price ( Beijing)

The first quote about US$44850

Price of about US$36976

The formal signing of contracts and concessions US$315

Buy half a year later, quote price US$5512. Achieve US$51180.

Congratulations, Lakeside! - and Welcome to Piano World!

You have chosen a very, very fine piano, indeed. I have no doubt that you will enjoy it for many years to come.

How does it sound on the level below the railing?

It looks amazing! Congratulations! Wow!!

Hello again Lakeside,
Your Shigeru Kawai SK 3 looks resplendent in your room. Last year, I visited Parsons in Shanghai where they had the full range of Shigeru Kawai pianos on show including the EX concert grand. That is the ideal way to compare the different models.
With all pianos, we can find one we like more than the others and I am sure that your preferred SK 3 will be perfect for expressing the full, harmonic palette of Chopin.

My warm congratulations and again, and best wishes for the enrichment of your musical life with this piano.

Robert.

Hello again Amy B
In my opinion, if you like the sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK, other aspects can really say is impeccable, I wish you get your favorite grand piano soon.

“How does it sound on the level below the railing?”
I understand what you mean, on the ground floor the sound would be better?
I preferred position in the downstairs living room, but we live in the four-story, did not install the elevator, I chose to use the truck crane, hoisting grand piano to the five-story terrace, had to choose on the upstairs. Happily, SK-3 in the present position, the sound is very satisfactory.


Moved downstairs, it would be difficult. Need to tear down the handrail of the stairs.
Is my understanding correct?

Beijing's winter is very dry, sometimes, only 5% of the humidity of the room. 2 AIR-O-SWISS humidifier placement near the piano, only 25% - 28%, Oh! How can I do?

Hi Lakeside,

I missunderstood the first photos. I thought it was sort of a balcony above a two story living room. That's why I asked about the sound. Since it's a staircase, it really doesn't matter about the floor below. No need to move it nor should you even consider it.

It does look glorious!

Hi Marty,

Thank you for your advice!


Lakeside in Beijing

From one Shigeru owner to another, congratulations! That's one beautiful piano!

Congratulations! What a beautiful piano to look at, and I know it will sound beautiful too.

I don't know if it is still there, but you might check at the "Poly Theater" in Beijing (which I think is in your district)

If I remember things correctly, I played an SK-7 on stage there in 2009, and that piano was one of the nicest I have ever played.


The action was extremely responsive; the tone sweet and light, the bass clear, "European" sounding.

All best wishes for years of enjoyment of your new instrument.

From yet another Shigeru owner to another! 优美
(北京尘 - you may want to consider a string cover.)

If you look very closely...

you can see me in the Beijing 壹空间 audience -

Beautiful Piano. Congradulations and hope you will enjoy your piano playing for many years to come.

Thanks, ZoeCalgary， Jonathan, Wzkit1, Tribbs and BBM.
Glad you enjoy Shigeru Kawai, particularly as the two (and possibly more than two ) the owner of Shigeru Kawai. I think we are very lucky.

Beijing's spring windy, sometimes dust, I've asked a friend from the United States to buy strings cover.



Really bothers me is how to maintain enough humidity in the room.

Lakeside

Hi Andrew Kraus,
Thank you for the compliment, and I know you are a Shigeru Kawai fans.2009 along with the Mantovani Orchestra to Beijing to perform it? If you do not mind, next to Beijing performances hope to be able to tell me, and perhaps the chance to watch your show.
Lakeside

it's a joy whenever you touch that piece of jem.....
Congrats

It is a beautiful piano in a lovely room!



Check out a Dampp Chaser piano lifesaver system. Here in the desert, my piano would suffer without it!

Congratulations on getting such a wonderful piano. I know Parsons is excellent because they maintain such a big selection! That is very hard for most Shigeru dealers.

Do try a humidifier in the room, but you will need a large capacity one. Use a humidity gauge, and keep it at least over 30% to keep the piano safe. It will sound best and stay in tune best over 40%, of course.

Enjoy your piano!

Besides the obvious congratulation I can't help but comment on the very fine translation of your posts, particularly those parts that describe the tone of your new SK-3.

Is it the Google translation function that is responsible, or is your english rather good?

I ask as I have piano consulting clients in Asia and often have trouble with translations.

Great looking piano. I wonder if the master tech from Japan will go to China for a follow up
tuning?

Very nice story and very nice piano!