Opinion wanted!! Shigeru sk3 vs Bechstein a190

[icefox]

Hi Guys,

I've been hunting a grand for my new house. After weeks of test playing I set my heart on Shigeru Kawai SK3 and Bechstein A190. To be honest I slightly prefer Shigeru which has a very pure and highly controllable sound (much more brilliant when played forte). Bechstein seems a bit too bright for my taste and also seems less variant when played piano vs forte, but it also has a pure sound which I like. (I like pure sound so I ruled out Mason and Steinway.) My wife says she prefers Bechstein, but I feel she is also swayed a bit by the German name.

When I asked for "bottom line" quotes, I was offered $38.5k on Shigeru SK3 and $39.5k on Bechstein A190, including tax shipping etc. I think I should be able to get another 1-2k off. So what do you guys think of these prices? Any comments on these two pianos? Also can some one educate me about Bechstein Academy series -- are they as good as the C-series? Are they made in German or not?

Best regards,
Bin

[hfmadopter]

According to this certificate, the Academy series are made 100% in Germany:  https://www.eastcoastpiano.com/Bechstein%20Pianos%20made%20in%20Germany.htm

As to the choice, not a lot of difference in price you will have to go with what feels and plays best to you I'm afraid. Both are quality products. Do keep in mind that most likely final voicing and tuning will take place in your house.

[49410enrique]

According to this certificate, the Academy series are made 100% in Germany:  https://www.eastcoastpiano.com/Bechstein%20Pianos%20made%20in%20Germany.htm

As to the choice, not a lot of difference in price you will have to go with what feels and plays best to you I'm afraid. Both are quality products. Do keep in mind that most likely final voicing and tuning will take place in your house.

+1

if you searched the site for shigeru, you'll have read how unbelievably crazy i am for these pianos.  they are an absolute dream to play and listen to.  your budget gives you lots of flexibility in choices, though i think they are probably pretty comparable at the size you are looking at, where i really feel like the shigeru hits its stride begins to dramatically pull away from the competition is in the sk5 and on range (that sk6 has the most incredible grumbly dark base while still being able to distingly project solid melodic lines/clear tones in low registers). if you are willing to expand your parameters, i would strongly consider looking for a slighty used one (they are rare as used instruments, as the owners tend to be prety fanatical about them and they are rarely given up once purchased but sometimes circumstances are there to find them). a used sk 5 or sk 6 would probably blow you away and seal the deal.
 

but at this end of the market, it really will come down to your personal preference for sound and feel. you are getting great quality, though i sincerely believe that becuase kawai is such a large company and thei have multiple revenue sources for instrument lines, the power of economies of scale and revenue support means they probably do not have to sell as many pianos or at as high profit margin relative to other makes with smaller total volumes, that is they can leverage the finances of the organization as a whole, so i think 1 dollar spent on a shigeru gets more piano than that same dollar with someone else. just one smuck's opinion here though. that is all. good luck!

[icefox]

if you are willing to expand your parameters, i would strongly consider looking for a slighty used one (they are rare as used instruments, as the owners tend to be prety fanatical about them and they are rarely given up once purchased but sometimes circumstances are there to find them). a used sk 5 or sk 6 would probably blow you away and seal the deal.

I agree wholeheartedly. I would love to get a used sk5. But they are extremely rare. I searched on eBay and there is one for sale in the whole nation in ca. 1999' $35k. Am I crazy to consider shipping that one from ca to nc where I am? Without trying it first?

[49410enrique]

[

I agree wholeheartedly. I would love to get a used sk5. But they are extremely rare. I searched on eBay and there is one for sale in the whole nation in ca. 1999' $35k. Am I crazy to consider shipping that one from ca to nc where I am? Without trying it first?

i'm surprised there is even one to be found at all (again owners once they buy, barring unusual or extreme circumstances, seldom let these slip back into the market).

it is indeed too risky to buy unseen unheard. even though it is less risky with a shigeru (usually) and a visit by a competent tech could clear up basic questions, there is too much at state, and too much money on the table to not be able to test it. indeed, when you consider how much would be saved on such a purchase (i.e. what are they now lik 60K give or take new).

if you're not in a hurry to buy, you might even wait a while to see if one might surface sooner than later or see if the seller might be interested in making provisions to help pay for a visit for you to fly out and see/play evaluate the instrument. i would pay to ship it across the country if at the end of the day the piano can be seen and evaluated first hand. i mean lets say you got it for 32K (maybe they discount it to help you offset visit costs and shipping some). you still save what like almost half as arent' sk5 after you strike a deal in the 50-57K range new (give or take some change). 10 years for a instrument of that caliber assuming it has been ina nice stable environment, not abused/played on a lot and well maintained is a fraction of its probably life span. it would certainly be worth it to explore it and have some live/phone conversations with the seller.

i would also look outside of ebay, i would call these people and let them know what you are looking for, they deal in this market nationwide and seem to be able to handle the deal on some incredible used instruments from the west to east coast:

https://www.myperfectpiano.com/

for example, these are rare enough, to see a super nice one used in the apparent condition at this price is pretty incredible.
https://www.myperfectpiano.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155

[icefox]

i would also look outside of ebay, i would call these people and let them know what you are looking for, they deal in this market nationwide and seem to be able to handle the deal on some incredible used instruments from the west to east coast:
https://www.myperfectpiano.com/

Thank you! This is great resource. I also did a search on Piano Mart. No Shigeru even nationally, to no surprise, but I did find a 1999 Petrof III for $13k nearby. Sounds like it's worth a try, but I didn't expect it to reach the level of a Shigeru.

[keymania]

While I may be late on this forum comment... none of the replies commented on the Bechstein A190... I have an A190 parked in my front room on loan while I await my A208.  Which has taken over 6 months and now Bechstein wants to clip me for another 3K after I flew out to play two different 208's.  While I love the 190 I am having an awful time with Bechstein USA the only time I have had any luck is when I contacted corporate back in GE.  Karl (the principal) has not committed sufficient resources to the US market IMO.  The piano has a great action and very pure tone and is a real quality instrument.  the 208 has a larger tone and balance with a stronger bass.  but when you get into this price range where the "F" is the customer service...

My dealer is picking up the Shiguero line and was just back in Japan at the Kawai factory where the entire factory drops the production to come out and meet them.!! they are committed to the dealers and support is huge...Bechstein sadly needs to improve their image.  I am leaning on an SK6 now and let Bechstein ponder why they are not getting my 50K...  Bechstein lost 8 US dealers in the first qtr of this year.. ouch.  Great Great product but pitiful support at this level.  I have played an older Shiguero SK5 and it was a delight well above Steinway US and on par with many quality German pianos' ... I am looking to make a 10-15 year purchase decision and not wanting to be plagued with support down the road.  I hope this sheds some light for you

[icefox]

While I may be late on this forum comment... none of the replies commented on the Bechstein A190... I have an A190 parked in my front room on loan while I await my A208.  Which has taken over 6 months and now Bechstein wants to clip me for another 3K after I flew out to play two different 208's.  While I love the 190 I am having an awful time with Bechstein USA the only time I have had any luck is when I contacted corporate back in GE.  Karl (the principal) has not committed sufficient resources to the US market IMO.  The piano has a great action and very pure tone and is a real quality instrument.  the 208 has a larger tone and balance with a stronger bass.  but when you get into this price range where the "F" is the customer service...

My dealer is picking up the Shiguero line and was just back in Japan at the Kawai factory where the entire factory drops the production to come out and meet them.!! they are committed to the dealers and support is huge...Bechstein sadly needs to improve their image.  I am leaning on an SK6 now and let Bechstein ponder why they are not getting my 50K...  Bechstein lost 8 US dealers in the first qtr of this year.. ouch.  Great Great product but pitiful support at this level.  I have played an older Shiguero SK5 and it was a delight well above Steinway US and on par with many quality German pianos' ... I am looking to make a 10-15 year purchase decision and not wanting to be plagued with support down the road.  I hope this sheds some light for you

This is indeed a very late opinion--as I already bought my SK3 five months ago! According to my dealer, this was the first new Shigeru sold in town. I've been very happy and satisfied with the piano. It has both clarity and richness in its sound. The way it responds to playing dynamic is where it stands out from all other pianos I tested. The volume is more than enough for my house. The only thing I've been wondering is--after these many months, where is the promised headquarter contact for a visiting technician? They promise it within a year, so I still have a few more months to wait, though.

[fang888]

Hi,

I tried to send you a message about the sk3 and the new yamaha c3x. But I am not sure whether the message is sent out or not.

I am new to the piano and trying to find a grand piano for 3 kids, one senior, one intermedia, one junior.  I did lots of googling, but I am not sure whether to save some money by going for c3x.  Will save a bout $4500 Canadian. OR the SK3 will mean much more.

Thanks.