please help, need advice chosing instrument , Yamaha Kawaii etc

[evemaru]

Looking for advice on finding the right instrument for our home.
We currently have Baldwin Acrosonic spinette and looking for a grand piano for home,
both me and my daughter play, she's 8 year old advanced student. I am piano educated,
10 years of Russian music school.
We are looking for buy a used decent quality grand piano (not a baby grand) for upto $10k.
I have tested several instruments so far. Really liked Yamaha G2 5.8 1995 year, going for $11k
and,  Kawai GE-3 5.8 1995 year production going for $8k.
I liked Yamaha sound a lot and a touch a little stiffer which maybe be better for learning...
And I also liked Kawai sound, and it's very forgiving (for mistakes) flattering touch and sound.
Can you tell me which is a better choice for an advanced student?
Both instruments are in mint condition, first owners, took care of them...

Thanks in advance for all your help.
 

[jimbo320]

I'd go for the Yamaha...

[willvenables]

Which do you prefer?

Both are decent pianos, built well with good quality materials and finished to a high standard. If you need someone's input to help you decide, perhaps you need to get an independent piano technician to go along with you, or for you, to report on the technical condition and advise if the regulation (keyboard and action calibration) are similarly set between them. It could be that you prefer the tone of one, but the feel of the other. If the regulation is different between them, it may be the regulation itself which is responsible for the 'feel' difference, and it may be very possible that the tech. can set the piano you prefer the tone of to feel like the other... if that is the case.

[starstruck5]

   Let us know which piano you eventually choose!   I am always fascinated by consumer choices - lol I don't think you can go wrong with either - but Will Venables' advice is spot on as always.

I have always wondered why Artur Pizarro chose to promote Bluthner pianos - they are certainly beautiful instruments and kind of different to the norm I supose.  It's what makes us an individual I guess.  You are definitely fortunate in being able to choose a grand piano! 

[quantum]

You may also wish to consider having another pianist play the pianos for you, so you can hear them both from a distance.  If you have pianist friends, consider bringing one of them along to play the instruments. 


I've played several Kawai GE series pianos at the university.  On the whole, they are good instruments.  The ones I've played had a very warm quality to their tone.  I understand what you mean by "forgiving" as it is easy to get away with some things on these pianos.  As for Yamaha, I took more interest in the C series.  Check around if you can find a used C2 within your budget. 

[evemaru]

Well, right now we are in limbo waiting to see what our technician tells us about these instruments.

I understand what you mean by "forgiving" as it is easy to get away with some things on these pianos

Exactly what I meant about that Kawaii.

About  Yamaha C2, I did look at 1970 C2 in a good condition the other day going for $9k, and did NOT feel connection to this instrument...

Consumer's choice is difficult:) so many choices, afraid to make a wrong one... it's even worse than buying a car.

Would not feel like that probably if I had 30-40k for a different level instrument,
oh well:)

[evemaru]

So, now... We evaluated both with help of our  knowledgeable technician/piano tuner.
He said he'd go for Yamaha but he found that Kawai is a great cheaper choice as well if we are concerned about money etc, but Yamaha is a better and  more serious instrument at that.
Bases are stronger, sound is crispier, good even touch.
With all that said, this Yamaha G2 is in great shape and condition but I am worried about it being played on so much. It was owned by a musical family, dad - piano tuner and mom is a pianist, as well as their prodigy daughter who is now 14 I guess and at Julliard....
Is it good that I am going to be taking a piano home with so much history?

Also, the serial number on the Yamaha doesn't check out, on Yamaha web site when I enter this number it says it's not made for North American Market.
Can it be one of these gray market pianos? how can this be if it's 1995 year production.

The seller is asking $10500 for it (don't know if it makes a big price difference but it has humidity control and also muter for these late evening practices) and I don't know if it's the good price for it.

Anyone can help me understand whether I am getting the good price?

[quantum]

If your tech says the G2 is a good piano, I would take his advice.  Yamahas have solid build quality.  I had the privilege of buying a used C3 from the 1980's.  It had only one previous owner, and from what I gather this person was a rather serious pianist.  It is a wonderful instrument and has taken all the abuse and punishment I have thrown at it so far. 

The fact that you are buying a piano that has had a history of use isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Personally I prefer a piano that is "broken in" as opposed to one that is factory fresh.  One would have a better basis as to voicing the instrument, knowing that it has settled into a playing routine.  

Try to do some research on what similar used pianos sold for.  Ask your tech for his opinion on the price as well.  If there are minor repairs to be made, perhaps you can argue that a lower price is more realistic when taking into account the cost of repairs.  


A 1970's C2 is most likely different to a more recently built C2.  Don't rule out the model just because a single sample from that line did not please you.  

[roseamelia]

I'd go for the Yamaha...

Me to. Yamaha's are good.

[iansinclair]

Don't worry about the piano being used heavily -- so long as a good piano hasn't been abused (and the Yamaha is indeed a good piano) use will not hurt it, and I'm sure your technician checked for abuse.  To give you an idea on that, my own piano was built in 1898, and has been used -- extensively -- ever since then.  It's going strong.

You will be astonished by how much better both you and your daughter can play on you new piano, by the way!