Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Thoughts on the Kawai MP10. How does it hold up in 2016?

So I just purchased a Kawai MP10 and I have a few questions. I know it was a flagship when released, but how does it hold up today? Do you think the action is as excellent as people did when it first came out? Do people have any tips or tricks on how to best use it? I simply don't know as much as I'd like to. All that I've heard has been good, but it's my first digital piano and I'm really unsure about how to properly use and care for it. I saved for a long time to be able to afford this and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. That said, I want to make sure I've made a good purchase and that I'll be able to use the instrument to its fullest potential. Thanks everyone, and have a lovely evening

Sam

If the piano please you, don't worry, enjoy !

The action, RM3 grand, is near the CA17 action (RM3 grand II) which is still in store. (I suppose the difference is the 3rd sensor). The main difference between the RM3 grand and the GF action from the MP11 (excepted the 3 sensors on GF) is the key length. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqQ4oaOCSXQ

I still like my piano bought in 2002... (Well less the sound since I have tried some virtual pianos). I am thinking of changing it, but this could wait a few years ! Perhaps your MP10 will last such a long time !

I think its still excellent piano with really good action, still much better then any new in the middle - high price range with plastic action. About sound, I dont like the sound in almost any digital piano even with the highest price. Depends for what you will use this piano, but there is usb/midi so welcome to the world of piano software if you want it, as many here also use piano software as a much better alternative.

The MP10 is a great digital from what I've heard over the years. While it's not the latest and greatest in action or sound, that doesn't mean it's not still very good on its own. I think it's a great instrument to start learning piano on.

Digitals in general are easy to care for. You may want to keep it covered with a towel, sheet, or purchase a dust cover to help keep dust from getting in. You can wipe down the keys with a damp cloth to keep them clean. Also, keep it out of direct sunlight or away from heat vents in the winter. But really simple and low-maintenance.

I think Kawai James mentioned in another post, be sure you update the firmware to the latest version. But other than that, enjoy!

I agree totally. It was an excellent digital piano and had in my opinion the best action at the time. Dismissing it as obsolete is like kicking Sandra Bullock and J Lo out of bed because they are over 40.

Sam - the kawai mp10 has been overtaken by the Williams allegro - I have one and I would be willing to swap it for your mp10 if u would like to have the best DP out there

Let me know

OK, Gyro. :P

I'll be plagiarizing that . . . <g>

Hey another question, I've got headphones plugged in and it is not making any sound. What do I do? Piano is the only sound that's on and both it and master volume are up. What do I do? Could it be broken?

Check for a "Local Control" menu item. It should be on.

nope, still no sound output.

Are you getting sound from the other output of the keyboard?

Have you ever gotten sound out of the headphone socket?

Do the headphones work fine with another source?

Have you tried a factory reset of the keyboard?

Not tried a factory reset.i don't have speakers to test it with either. Headphones are great. I'm concerned that it was damaged in doing. It was 100 degrees today and it was in the back of a truck for 14 hours.

Please note that the MP10 has a dedicated 'LOCAL OFF' button:



When this button is lit LOCAL OFF will be enabled, meaning that the keyboard will *not* trigger the built-in tone generator. Therefore, in order to use the built-in sounds, this button should *not* be lit.

I was also going to suggest performing a Factory Reset, but I see that you have done this already.

Are you able to select sounds from the panel (e.g. Jazz --> 2 selects 'Jazz Grand 2' etc.)?

It's possible that the internal connectors for the headphone jacks have become loose. My advice would be to give Kawai America's digital piano customer service team a call for assistance.

Cheers,
James
x

So after much grumbling and 2 hours of driving back and forth from the service center, the MP10 will take too long to repair. I need a piano before going off to school, so I need to look into other options. I'm stuck between a new Roland RD 300NX or a used kurzweil artis.

Thank you for the update Sam. May I ask what was the problem with the MP10? Which service centre did you visit? Will you send it back to the chap your purchased from?

Kind regards,
James
x

The main board had heat and water damage, the keybed was sunken, and the metal case was dented. I bought it from guitar center, and I don't recall the service center name. Also the roland was out of stock so I'm going with a Yamaha P255 for now. They did give me a new one which cost 200 more than I purchased the MP10 for.

Wow, it sounds like the instrument had really been in the wars - certainly not the 'excellent condition' you had anticipated.



I thought (from your previous post) that you had purchased the MP10 from your piano teacher's friend, so assumed the instrument was local to you?



Well, it's not an MP10, but is still a pretty good instrument, and should serve you well through college.

Best of luck with your studies.

Cheers,
James
x

What a bizarre buying experience. Methinks we didn't hear the whole story.

My piano teacher's friend was the manager at that guitar centre. Their shop was however in a different state. I'm holding on to the P-255 for now, and stalking their online store to see if any other used Kawai's show up.