Pianoman answers:
There are many questions asked about which is the best New piano - Yamaha or Kawai?
"The man in the Yamaha store says the Kawai is using plastic parts."
So what are you told at the Kawai shop?
"They said to watch out for those Yamaha's made in Indonesia - they're full of PLASTIC !
What a circus...
Why do I get so many calls from bewildered music store patrons?
Because for more than Twenty Years they have had to contend with salespeople desperate to clinch a deal before the buyer leaves the showroom.
Piano merchants know full well that there's no way they can actually convince a buyer that either product is "superior".
Quality products, fully Japanese made...authentic Yamahas and Kawais from the two great names. Dedicated piano corporations delivering respected instruments and both competing for top billing.
Of course you might find these names on pianos made "offshore".
Inevitably their production supervised by the Japanese technicians or designers - because labour is cheaper you can get the entry level pianos at a much more affordable price.
And then as you'll have no doubt discoverd, there are similar looking Korean pianos whose makers are now laying claim to having the world's largest piano production.
Hmmm - wouldn't be surprised.
Good looking pianos too - half a dozen different models...well hardly "different" exactly, just wearing different name tags
And with another Korean maker producing near identical pianos the battle rages.
Give it an authentic sounding German name.
Supply a brochure with plenty of hype about the superior quality of the components, the design awards.
Make it significantly cheaper to buy than a Yamaha or a Kawai and Bingo -
Instant seller!
Look out now... Here come the Chinese models!
Of course, one of these is cheaper again and yes, it'll be backed by a big long warranty ( makes you feel all warm and fuzzy ) until you call for service that is... and are maybe directed to read the fine print.
OK ... so what was I recommending here?
Ah yes!
Which piano to buy?
Don't matter much.
You'll get what you pay for!
We teach piano. I own a couple of Yamahas.
And a couple of Kawais too.
I can't fault them as a matter of fact.
They've all been in use for 15 years or more in our teaching studios and nothing ever goes wrong.
Occasional tuning required.
Unaffected by weather changes. No breakdowns to report.
All hold their tuning OK.
The 1907 German hand made beauty stands there proudly with its stately look and glorious tone and invites comparison. Scintillating. Big, dramatic tone. Such power. So loud. A bass that absolutely growls...
Starting to look a little shabby of course. Well - after all, it is near 100 years old and just about everything is original.
And I don't know that you'd find many like this one at anything like the price of a Kawai or a Yamaha.
But really, for most musician/piano buyers the Japanese products' built in reliability is pretty much a foregone conclusion.
So there 'tis.
Messrs YAMAHA and KAWAI...
"Having played for more than half a century I would like to sincerely compliment you both for the fine products you have given the world."
Yes folks, OzPianoman supports them both : )
Kawai and Yamaha. Equally !
For the same brands, good USED ones (recent models) have long had my vote as being perhaps the most sensible way to go... but things do change!
For example:- talk to me about Kawai's recently released K25 model and I'll give you some good reasons to consider it a serious alternative.
SAVE ! ! !
We don't buy and sell Pianos -
but if you want to save serious money then you'd be crazy not to talk to me first.
No matter where you live...if you're ready to buy ANY piano make sure you don't put a deposit on it until you've heard my recommendations
To CONTACT the writer:- Email OzPianoman
or telephone 03 9783 6439
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