Pick any Kawai - Rx3 or any Yamaha C3... does it matter?

[violinist]

This topic may have been discussed, but if anyone wants to humor me with their thoughts.

I'm trying to be helpful to another person who wants to buy a yamaha c3 or kawai rx3, and thinks I'm a piano resource.  and I'm really not (yet).  I'm learning from all of you.  I was hoping you could help my friend out.  She is negotiating a price for these pianos and now she wants to know if she can pick any old Kawai rx3 or any Yamaha c3 or is it so individual like a hand made piano?  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.!!

[classicarts]

This topic may have been discussed, but if anyone wants to humor me with their thoughts.

I'm trying to be helpful to another person who wants to buy a yamaha c3 or kawai rx3, and thinks I'm a piano resource.  and I'm really not (yet).  I'm learning from all of you.  I was hoping you could help my friend out.  She is negotiating a price for these pianos and now she wants to know if she can pick any old Kawai rx3 or any Yamaha c3 or is it so individual like a hand made piano?  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.!!

Violinist, where are you going with this my friend?

[violinist]

She wants to drag me out there to pick a piano (again) after narrowing down the models.  I was trying to see if the extra trip would be necessary.  I'm thinking that it would be necessary.  But it's a 2 hour drive to get to the piano place. 

That's all.  Nothing up my sleeve.

[Axtremus]

If you already have a technician competent in voicing/regulating pianos, then pick any NEW C3/RX-3. Otherwise, go pick the one that's been prepared better (or closer to your ideal anyway). While the underlying build quality may be the same, the preparations the dealer do will make a difference. Even if you have your own tech, a better prepared piano of the same price will leave less work for your tech to do, take fewer of your tech's hours, and still save you some money that way.

USED pianos -- I'd say go pick one yourself, since the conditions of the pianos (nature and amount prior abuses) will vary.

("Handmade" has got nothing to do with this... "handmade" or not, some makes are simply "more consistent" and some makes have more varied "individual characters" among their pianos. )

[classicarts]

She wants to drag me out there to pick a piano (again) after narrowing down the models.  I was trying to see if the extra trip would be necessary.  I'm thinking that it would be necessary.  But it's a 2 hour drive to get to the piano place. 

That's all.  Nothing up my sleeve.

Best bet is to have her try the pianos and choose.  I wouldn't get personally involve in making the decision for her.

[barganax]

Violinist,
I agree with Axtremus -- your friend should take home a piano that is already as close to her ideal as possible.

If I were in your shoes, I would take your friend into the stores blindfolded, and let her judge how they sound without her knowing what she is hearing (she could sit on the bench beside you). Or you could ask the dealer to cover the name on the fallboards. Then she could play too, but she shouldn't glance inside at the name on the plate!

This isn't perfect -- the different stores will have different room acoustics. But it is worth a try.

[violinist]

Thanks so much for the tips! 

[quantum]

I've played both, and I like both.  The main difference I'd say is the sound.  The C3 has wood for black keys, while I don't believe RX3 does (I prefer the wood as it keeps fingers from slipping).  Kawais have the new Millennium 3 action, you may wish to inquire if the RX3's your looking at have this. 

Go after the one she likes.  Line up a few pianos of the same model and compare. 

[violinist]

I've played both, and I like both.  The main difference I'd say is the sound.  The C3 has wood for black keys, while I don't believe RX3 does (I prefer the wood as it keeps fingers from slipping).  Kawais have the new Millennium 3 action, you may wish to inquire if the RX3's your looking at have this. 

Go after the one she likes.  Line up a few pianos of the same model and compare. 

Hello everyone!

We've decided it's best for us to go back and try them all again, and settle on the exact piano. 

Thanks again for the excellent tips.   I like the Millennium 3 action.

[tosca1]

Choosing a piano with a friend is much more fun than making the decision alone.  Apart from the musical considerations, it is usually a significant investment decision and having someone with you to talk to can help you make a good choice.
The purchaser should always choose the piano that sounds and feels best within the price parameters rather than be influenced by non musical criteria and sophistry that piano dealers happily provide.
Maybe your friend is already enjoying the new piano. I hope so.

Robert.

[violinist]

Hello All!

Thanks for all the great responses.

My friend settled on a Rx3 Kawai!

It's going to be delivered next Tuesday!  pretty fast!  I can't wait!  Another great piano moving into town.

[violinist]

[iumonito]

Congrats for your friend.  if you don't mind disclosing the financial terms, I would love to know.   

[violinist]

I had nothing to do with the negotiations.

I asked her how much she paid for the piano..   I have the figures.

E-mail me stradviolin2020@yahoo.com if you want to know what she told me.

[virtuoso_735]

Cool.

The Rx3 looks like a great piano.