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Hi, how about Kawai 506 for a 4-yr-old starter kid? I found a 2-year-old teaching piano in a music store/school. The store offers to shave the hammer and touch up the case. It comes with 10 year warranty.

Hello,

You really need to go and hear the piano (even if you don't play) and compare it with a few other options, for reference. Although Kawai is a fine manufacturer, this is an entry-level model of theirs and the offer to file the hammers and touch up the case suggests it may have been heavily used. Again, this is all conjecture from a distance without auditioning the piano in-person. Everything could be fine.

Would you buy a used car that you know had prior use as a rental car? Some would, for the savings, but a good deal of scrutiny is advised. This situation may merit similar scrutiny.

Hello Icy!

You should go and see to check the pianos with your own eye. There will be some very good options for you if you spend enough time doing "piano-search" well. They are absolutely worth considering

Good luck!

Hi Icy - Welcome to Piano World!

Terminaldegree makes a very good point. It would all depend on how much they are asking for the piano and the market you are located in. True, it is an entry level instrument, but, a 4 y/o student is "entry level" also. If it's a great price, with the 10 year warranty, it might work out very well.

I congratulate you for providing an acoustic piano for your child, rather than a digital thingie.

Thank you for everyone above. I did see and hear the piano myself in the store, but I am not good at music at all. The piano shows some scratch on the front edge (where the dealer offers to touch up to like-new). The rest of the case is nice. The hammer has quite deep marks (similar to those 30 years old piano at home in my opinion). The dealer asks for $3000+tax free delivery and one in-home tuning. I am in PA. How's the deal?

You might want to write to me at Kawai with the serial number of the piano. I'll check into our records for you to see the history of the instrument.

dmannino@kawaius.com

Thanks, KawaiDon. I checked the serial number on Kawai website. It was made in late 2011 in Indonesia.

I read PianoBook and it says a three year old piano should be priced at 69-77% of current price...Then I think this one is over-priced at $3000+tax.

How about the idea of shaving the hammer offered by the store? Will it impair the voice?

Whoa, there's a KawaiDon too?? I thought it was just James on this forum

Do the hammers have deep grooves? That could be a big repair or overly bright sound.

Markarian,

I have actually been active here a little longer than James. He participates mostly in the digital piano forums, and I am in the piano and piano tech forums mainly.

Just to clarify: I'm not sure what is meant by "current price".

An example: If I buy a new piano with a SMP of $4,500 (say MSRP of $5,000) and pay $4,000, is the 69-77% off my price of $4,000 or one of the other prices in my example?

Brian - That's a very good question.

Maybe Steve, Terminal, or Larry could give a definitive answer.

With a beginning student and heavily used hammers, you might consider softening the hammers too. Just to be merciful to the parents, since youngsters tend to enjoy pounding on the keys from time to time.

Just some update. The Kawai seller (an authorized seller) insisted on the $3000+tax price even if I gave up the hammer re-shaving and voicing. It makes me doubt that he actually would re-shave and voice it before delivery....Disappointed.