Buying a grand - help me with my decision

[chrdso]

Hi:

I have to make a decision on the following used pianos soon:

1) Yamaha C2 (2003) ($2,500 more than RX-2) - ebony polish
3 years old.  Tuned just once in last 3 years.  Owner has never tuned after that.
Tech that check it, said the piano is flat.  Needs pitch raised and tunings.  But is in showroom condition.

2) Kawai RX-2 (2003) - 7 years Kawai warranty -- ebony polish
Owner said its it perfect condition.  Kid does not use it any more.

3) Kawai RX-3 (2005) - ($700 more tha C2).  9 years of Kawai warranty - satin finish
Owner choose from several.  Owner has no time to play it.  The dealer who sold it said that it was one of the better ones on the floor.

I am buying for my kid who has played for past 5 years-won several competitions.  Mostly plays classical.

My child prefers tha yamaha touch.  But, Kawai sound more suited for classical?

How do they compare for resale, play till college......., sound...............

Thanks

[henrah]

Kawai's are known to be good 'workhorse' pianos; but as your child plays mostly classical, it might be better to go with the one he prefers. If you think he'll want to practice some powerful romantic/modern pieces at some point, the Kawai might be the better option.

Don't take my word for it though, there are loads of people on this forum who can give a more educated answer, possibly through experience with the pianos mentioned.

[bananafish]

This is how I'd compare the pianos if I were to buy one (from the scale of happy, to VERY happy): Kawai RX-2, Yamaha C2, Kawai RX-3, and Yamaha C3 (even though it's not on you list, but I think since you have Kawai RX-3 on it, you should consider Yamaha C3.)

personally, I prefer Yamaha action more than Kawai, but I like the mellower tone in Kawai more than the bright Yamaha tone. If I were to choose between action and tone, I'd choose action, because granted, Yamaha's on the brighter side, but it's still beautiful, but key action is a very personal preference to each pianist. So, if your son's the one who will be playing the piano, and since he likes the Yamaha action more than Kawai, I'd say go with the Yamaha. To me, I find Kawai Rx-2/3 action to be a little stiff. However, you do get longer, better bass piano if you choose Kawai, especially, Kawai RX-3. That's the reason why I throw in a Yamaha C3 for you to think about. If you could find one around your area within your expected budget, I'd definitely buy a C3.

[grandpianoguy]

If your child has been playing for 5 years and has won competitions and prefers the Yamaha, he or she probably know what s/he's talking about.  Since there's not a huge difference between those instruments in terms of price, quality and resale value, you should go with the one your child likes best.   However, you should also seek the counsel of your child's teacher.   

I had a Yamaha C3 for a long time before I could afford Steinways and I must say it was a great piano to have as a child and a teenager--very durable and solid, didn't need tuning very often, almost never needed regulation, and was a very decent and dependable musical instrument, all told.  After 25 years of heavy use and multiple transcontinental moves it still looked almost new.  I don't think my Steinways would hold up as well! Don't know much about the C2's track record.

By the way, the only people you should trust when it comes to buying a piano are your piano technician and your piano teacher (or in your case, your child's teacher). You should ignore dealer's and owner's sales talk--stuff like "the best one on the floor" etc.  It's worthless blather.

[thetrojanhorse]

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh.  Yamaha more durable than Steinway? I doub't it.  There is a reason people rebuild Steinways after 75-100 years.  There is also a reason that people haul Yamahas to the dump after 25.

Trojan

[chrdso]

Thanks everyone, for your help.
I decided on the C2.

[tompilk]

Thanks everyone, for your help.
I decided on the C2.

great choice... i went for a larger but older piano when i chose mine a year ago - i could get a C1 or G5 (the old version of C5) so I went for the G5 - same price! and only 1995, hardly played...
tom