Shigeru Kawai experience

[honzaes]

In past I have written into the forum, that I was charmed by Shigeru Kawai two years ago, when I had opportunity to play while choosing hybrid piano (that time for the apartment in block of flats). It has happened that I bought a house in meantime though, with 35m2 living room, lock wood house structure with good acoustics, and there is a free corner.... 

I went today to play two Shigeru Kawai in the shop - SK3 and SK6. Price was the motivation to actually buy airline ticket, rent a car, basically travel 8 hours to try the instruments. The SK6 was amazing, broad, dark and warm, responsive..  I ended up running from piano to piano (Steinways, other Kawais GX, GL..), and I could not believe SK6 is so much better instrument than any other in the shop. Rich color all over the range. For my liking, just the upper register was a bit too fast to blossom into the bright sound when going from piano to fortissimo (but that can probably be addressed by MPA). But how piano reacted on my intentions was stunning - I did not have to fight to get desired sound, it was just happening as I "asked" piano for. Every other instrument in the shop was falling so much behind in the controlability. I am really sorry to say, but Steinway B, which I know from my lessons (I played 3 or 4 different instruments plus the one today) feels so much more flat in tone, response, shades and even power.

Tomorrow is the day I will try another two SK3, SK5 and SK6. I would be tempted to go for todays SK6, but I am very afraid the SK6 is too much of the piano for my living room. But my teacher claims that I may regret every centimeter I did not buy.

How is your experience with Shigerus? How does the big sound fit home conditions?

[dogperson]

I do not have an SK, but I have a 7 ft grand in a 14 x 21 ft room and play with the piano on full stick.  The sound is not overwhelming, but there are room configurations and acoustics fit you to consider.  In general, I agree with your teacher.  You might want to discuss your particular room including the furnishes with your tech.

[honzaes]

So at the end, I have tried about 15 pianos, including old and new Steinways, and all together around 7 Shigeru Kawais. I was even dreaming about keyboards after two days playing all those...

During following days, I went repeatedly through my notes I was making for those pianos (I omitted those which were immediately out of the game..). My selection process ended up with group of 3. Steinway C from 1928, Shigeru Kawai SK6 and SK5.

On Friday, I accepted in my mind, that the winner was actually clear from beginning, the first SK6 with notes "amazing, dark color with clarity, very controllable", which I described above is the choice. The instrument should be in my house before Christmas.

Deciding was not easy, as most of you can imagine:-) But the deal was actually also convincing, next to other little things it includes change/upgrade option within 5/10 years (depending if upgrade to higher Shigeru or Steinway).