a new grand piano

[akichan]

I  have a plan to perchase a new grand piano instead of 38 years old Apollo Uplight piano. I am studying jazz piano.
My room is smal l, and I think of Boston 156, 163, YAMAHA C1L, C2L, KAWAI RX1. or RX2.
Is there someone who advice for this selection?

[knabe31]

I had the pleasure of playing both of the Boston models that you suggested. I really enjoyed them. Evidently the tail of the piano is wider which allows for a larger sound board so, you get more sound from a smaller piano. I played a Kawai recently (can't remember which model) and did not like the sound. To bright. Don't like Yamaha. I guess given your choices I would go with the Boston. 

[rach n bach]

I generally agree with knabe31.

However, if at all possible, try to play the pianos before you purchase and see what you like.  The Yamaha's are renowned by tech's for their sturdy nature, and thier brighter tone might suit your jazz style.

RnB

[nyonyo]

Today, I went to the authorized dealer for Steinway and Boston. I am in the market for a grand piano.  At the beginning, I spent my time on Steinways. I might tried about 15 Steinways. Most of them are vary in sounds and touch as well as mechanical movement. It was quite frustrating for expensive pianos to be like this. Out of 15 pianos, only one Steinways model B that I like. Out of curiousity, I moved to Boston 5'4" baby grand, I believe it was model GP-163. I was blown away by the sound and also the touch etc. I immediately stopped playing Steinways. I tried about 8 of Boston grands that are available. I am baffled by the consistency of sound and touch of those grand pianos. I was very pleasantly surpised by this.

[amelialw]

how about a Kawai Grand?

[jlh]

I know that a lot of jazz pianists play Yamaha, so that may be the tried and true piano for you, as a jazz pianist.  Chick Corea, Bob James, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Eddie Palieri, all play Yamaha...

One other piano I might suggest you look into is the Schimmel.  They're a little more expensive than Yamahas, inch for inch, but you will find the tone production and action to be higher quality as well. 

[prongated]

...heard very good things about Boston pianos, but never on played them.

I do prefer Kawai over Yamaha for its more singing tone and a solidly defined bass character - at least to my ears. I had a choice between Yamaha C3 and Kawai RX-3 and went for the latter.

The Kawai RX series is a refined piano with a more muffled sound - it does not turn as bright overtime. Many C series I've encountered do turn quite bright in sound, sometimes bordering on the coarse side.

...the pianos you looked at would've been markedly different in sound...then there's the action...Kawai's is very responsive but can take some time getting used to - it's quite different and can be quite heavy, although it's nothing a good piano technician can't change for you. Yamaha's is more 'natural' and in line with many pianos you will/have encounter/ed. Again, these are the things I have found personally, and you may make different observations...

[daniloperusina]

I might tried about 15 Steinways. Most of them are vary in sounds and touch as well as mechanical movement. It was quite frustrating for expensive pianos to be like this.

In my experience, this is what you actually have to expect. As each instrument is handmade, almost to 100%, each turns into a unique individual. Did you know that they even bend the rim by hand! Does anyone have enough experience from the other top-brands, Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Blüthner, Fazioli, to know whether the same uniqueness is to be found there?

I've only found 'consistency' in much cheaper makes.

[richard black]

I'm sorry to say the main consistency I've found in the many Bostons recently acquired by a couple of colleges where I teach and/or accompany is in their tendency to fall to bits. All right, they get heavy usage but some of the quality control looks poor to me. For example, on one Boston grand all the screws holding one bit of the mechanism to the support rail were under-tightened. This piano was around a year old.

[prongated]

I'm sorry to say the main consistency I've found in the many Bostons recently acquired by a couple of colleges where I teach and/or accompany is in their tendency to fall to bits.

...hmmm I suspect this is a trait with Kawai pianos as well? Not necessarily the underscrewed thing, but things like rattling music rack, rattling lock...don't know if it's justified, but in terms of build quality, Kawai is not quite up there with some other makes - Yamahas are very solid stuff, in comparison.