Shigeru Kawai

[mutatismutandis]

All,

I am new to the board (though I've been a visitor for about the last month) and am shopping for a new grand piano (for my wife and kids, all of whom are very musical).  I would welcome advice about Shigeru Kawais.  We are contemplating buying an SK-3 (6' 1").  Frankly, of the pianos we've looked at, the one we like best is an August Forster 190 (6' 4"), but we can get an SK-3 for about $6K less, which is a big difference (and we do like the SK-3, just not as much as the AF 190).   Right now, after a little back-and-forth with the relevant dealers, it looks like the best price I can get on an AF 190 is about $35K, and the best price I can get on a SK-3 is $29,300- in each case before sales tax.   I haven't encountered a negative comment about AF 190s (everyone seems to love them!), but there do seem to be differing opinions about the Shigerus.

By the way, we've looked at Schimmel, M&H, AF (as noted above), Steinway, Bosendorfer, Charles Walter, Petrof and Estonia- and right or wrong, it's kind of come down to the AF 190 vs. the Shigeru SK-3 (at least for now). 

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the pianos themselves and/or the prices (and whether I can do better price-wise).  Thanks in advance.

[mutatismutandis]

Oh yeah, one additional item of info:  there's a dealer in a nearby city who's not a Bosendorfer dealer but says he has a new Bosendorfer 170 (that he got from a dealer that had gone or was going out of business) and that he'll sell me for $40K.  We do like Bosendorfers (though we haven't played this particular one)-  but my concern is that a 170 is a little on the small side.  Plus, although $40K represents a big discount off the list price, I don't know if that's a good deal or not (and if it is, is he offering such a good deal because he's having a difficult time unloading it?). 

[Scaglietti]

Oh I loved Shigeru Kawai - the best piano I tried so far.  But my budget is around 20K so it was bit out of reach for me.  I heard SK pianos are all personally signed by the craftsman and the tuner will visit you from Japan for tunings!

Good luck to you! 

[mutatismutandis]

I realize it's still more than $20K, but my local dealer is offering a SK-2 for $25,000-  plus there's a "private viewing" next week at the same dealer (at which one or more Kawai reps will be present) where you can get an additional $500 off the price. 

[Axtremus]

mutatismutandis,

OK, you're asking whether the AF-190 (which you like more) is worth the extra $6k over the SK-3 (which you also like, but not as much). In this situation, the best thing to do, I believe, is to go back and play them, as many times as you need to, until you convince yourself which is the right way to go. Don't be rushed by the "private viewing discount" -- a $30k+ purchase simply should not be rushed for a $500 swing. Go see it, talk to the Kawai reps, go play the pianos some more -- those are all fine and good, just don't rush yourself into a decision.

I do not know what sort of music you play, but coming from a classical piano perspective, I think the following (popular classical) pieces, if played on the AF-190 and the SK-3, can accentuate the musical differences between the two and may help you further sharpen your sense of whether one is really worth $6k more than the other to you (or whether you feel you can be satisfied with the lower cost option at all):

1. Debussy -- Riverie, Girl with Flaxen Hair, Claire de Lune (basically the mellow French impressionist stuff)

2. Rachmaninoff -- C# Minor Prelude, and Elegie (Op.3 #1, I think)

3. Gershwin -- the Three Preludes

Good luck!

[mutatismutandis]

Update (for anyone who's interested):  after much deliberation, my wife and I are getting the August Forster 190.   We feel very good about the choice. Can't wait until it's in our house (hopefully we'll have it within a week).   In the meantime, thanks to everyone for the input-  I do sincerely appreciate it.

[Scaglietti]

Congrats!  Did you get your piano yet?  And can we post pictures on this forum?

[mutatismutandis]

Have not received the AF190 yet (I thought I'd have it by now, but the dealer I'm buying it from is slow in getting it delivered to me).  I'll be happy to post pictures when I finally get it!

[iumonito]

Have not received the AF190 yet (I thought I'd have it by now, but the dealer I'm buying it from is slow in getting it delivered to me).  I'll be happy to post pictures when I finally get it!

This is exciting.   About six months after getting the piano, get it voiced and tightened.  It will make a big difference, as pianos settle in their new environment and then start thriving if treated with love.

Did you get your humidity clock yet?  Very important, to keep the piano around 40% humidity.  Not only the soundboard (that's what the damp chaser does) but also up in the action and keyboard.

[Impresario]

You have made an excellent choice!  I am probably more familiar with the August Försters than anyone else in America.  They are one of my favorite pianos in the world .  I have sold many of them and I am friends with Wolfgang and his daughter Anna.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.