New Yamaha C3 $19,000, New Kawai Rx3 $18,000?

[Zechtan]

Hi!

I have been quoted $19,000 for a new Yamaha C3 and $18,000 for a new Yamaha Rx3.  I might even be able to get either delivered 100 miles and placed in my basement.

Have any of you an idea as to how good these prices are?  I would actually prefer to buy a two or three or four year old model and let somebody else pay the sticker price.  But, most of the used ones I have seen are not discounted enough to keep me from buying a new one.  For instance, there is a used Yamaha C3 2001 on eBay for $17,000.00 plus an additional $1,000.00 to deliver it.

Any ideas, comparisons, or help would be greatly appreciated.

Jerry

[Axtremus]

I have been quoted $19,000 for a new Yamaha C3 and $18,000 for a new Yamaha Rx3.  I might even be able to get either delivered 100 miles and placed in my basement.

Have any of you an idea as to how good these prices are?

The numbers look good to me. Good luck.

[Scaglietti]

Where do you live?  I am interested in C3 as well.  I think that is a good price.

[pianodude]

Here in Schaumburg, IL, we have a Yamaha dealer. They are selling C3 for 23K, and C2 for 21K. These are the prices that they quoted for me. Just be very careful with piano dealres in the States, they are like a car dealer. In 1993, I knew for sure that Yamaha u1 cost only $2700 (cost) for any Yamaha Music School, however, retail sales was $6K and in 1998, C5 cost only 15K, but at retail cost 22K.

C2 or C3 is an excellent piano. Good luck and do not be ripped of by any piano saleman......

[Zechtan]

Pianodude,

Thanks for your advice about not getting ripped off.  I live in the South -- Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee area.  I went to these two dealers, who are recognized Yamaha and Kawai dealers and ask: "What is the lowest cash price you would sell me a (C3 or Rx3) for if I brought you a cashier's check for the entire amount.

Luckily, I am in a position to do that.  So, based on the few replies at this forum, it seems that these prices are pretty good.  The Yamaha dealer gets C2's for a nearby university, takes them back after two semesters, and sells them as new with a full ten year warranty.  When I first went to him before, he was loaded with inventory, and would have sold one of these C2's for $12,000.00.  The next time, when a couple had sold a couple Yamahas, and his price was up to $14,000.00.  Last time, he was up to $15,000.00, but I am sure a $14,000.00 check would have worked.  He didn't have a C3 in stock, and that is what I want.

Thanks again,

Zechtan

[pianodude]

I finally talked to my friend who just purchased Yamaha C2, she said that the price is 13K. Hope this helps people who are in the market for Yamaha C2.

[Axtremus]

pianodude,

Where did your friend get that C2? Was it brand new and in the Schaumburg, IL area?

[pianodude]

It is brand new, however, the store is in California.

[Dips]

I'm looking around to buy a Yamaha C2. Can you give me the store information where I can buy the new C2 or semesterly used for 14K-15K?

Thanks 

[Impresario]

For approximately the same amount, you can buy a Petrof Grand which is comparable to only the Yamaha S series and the Kawai Shigeru pianos.  Larry Fine lists this in his book. 
These top of the line Japaneses pianos, more handcrafted, share similar methods and materials as the standard Petrof.

The main differences in the better pianos is hard wood in the rims (beech or maple), not soft (luan, nyata or mikore), sands casted plates rather than vacuum processed plates (to reduce harmonic distortion) and white spruce soundboards rather than Sitka spruce (white spruce is costler and lighter in destiny to amplify and sustain tone better).

The lower level mass produced Yamahas and Kawai do not have the finer materials or methods of building that the Petrof has.  It makes a big diffence in tone and durablitiy.

[Scaglietti]

Don't get too caught up in the material used for the piano.  The perfect piano is what sounds and feels right for you.  I'm not advocating any brand but as for Yamaha and Kawai, you can be sure that you are getting a reliable, quality instruments.