Kawai K8 or Bechstein A1?

[mudbucket]

The K8 is around $12000
And the A1 is $13500 trading in my old Petrof that I think I can get for about $2~3000.

I like both and haven't been able to try it side by side as they're in separate stores so I can't tell between the two but I'm probably leaning towards the K8. The price difference is quite big for what my initial budget was supposed to be.

Just wondering what others think about one or the other...? Which would you go for?

[flutistmarriedtopianist]

I know what it is to be piano shopping on a budget, but Bechstein is a very respected name. Kawaii makes nice pianos but as far as reputation and quality standards go, I think Bechstein is another league. Even the Bechstein academy series is held to high standards, and with a name like Bechstein you know that you will get a long-lived piano or, if you plan to re-sell in a few years, that you can get nearly what you paid for it.

There's nothing wrong with Kawaii, but I would go for the Bechstein hands down. 

[mudbucket]

Ah snap. I don't know how I did that, but I meant "I'm leaning towards the A1" and not the K8 @_@

Thanks I guess I just need some reassurance as I'm not too familiar with pianos.

[keys60]

I'm not real familiar with the models you are talking about since I haven't really shopped for an upright Bechstein or Kawai, but you may want to research where that piano was made. Samick has been the major shareholder in Bechstein for quite some time now and I'm pretty sure most if not all of the verticals are made in Asia. Figured I'd throw that in there in case you think its one of the great Euros of yesteryear. Its been a few years, but I've read that the uprights are Asian and the grands are still European.

[keys60]

You can read it for yourself. I'd do a real good comparison with that Kawai. Between Samick and Kawai, I'd take the latter. Its really your opinion that counts though of course. Hope this helps.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Samick+acquires+stake+in+Berlin's+famous+Bechstein+piano%3A+Samick+will...-a097236693