Kawai Vs. Yamaha

[ajsaddacs]

I have now narrowed my choice of piano to between a used Yamaha U1 (probably 80's)or a new Kawai K3. Which do you think is best?

[PianoGuy]

The K3 probably.

The new K series Kawais are the biggest leap forward that Kawai have ever made. The quality of previous generations of Kawai lagged way behind Yamaha, but the latest K models are fabulous value and have better build, sound quality and actions than comparable Yams.

If you're being offered a UK market 4-million-plus U1, then it'd be hard to choose between them, but chances are it'll be an older grey import U1 which may be cheap, but so will residual values be!

Kawai have at last got their act together.

[ajsaddacs]

Please explain the grey import versus non import U1s & how to distinquish between them. Please explain which is preferred and why.

10 yr old U1s sold privately on this site fetch about the same price as 10-20 20-30yr old U1s sold by retailers on this site.

Are 10yr old U1 pianos preferabable to 20-30yr old U1 assumming the condition is the same ? Is there a period of time when U1s were made that is considered better than other times ?

thankyou
ajsaddacs[/quote]

[PianoGuy]

Please explain the grey import versus non import U1s & how to distinquish between them. Please explain which is preferred and why.

There's no difference in quality, but pedants may claim that they've not been 'seasoned for destination' which is largely myth, and that they may have not been sold within the Yamaha dealer network. This means that often rather unfairly they are devalued compared to a UK sourced one. This is because there are also a lot of crappy ones out there. Hundreds are sold via the dreaded eBay and often have faults such as tired butt-springs or snapped cords and many utterly rubbish part-time 'dealers' are filling sheds on industrial estates with them and selling them cheap. They are such hardy pianos that even tired old junk can look fresh. It's these old clunkers that give the imports bad press.

A nicely prepared grey import should present no problems, but buy from a high-street dealer with a good reputation, not from eBay or from some part-time hobbyist. Many nice imports are sold alongside bona fide Yamaha UK stuff by Yamaha main dealers. These should be better than the stuff being sold in his spare time by the feller who works down the garage or the supermarket.

You can tell an import by:

1) "odd" nomenclature such as U10 0Bl, U1X, MC301
2) Most will have a small plastic bracket on the inside of the top door which held the service record card. UK pianos don't have these cards, nor the bracket.
3) Evidence of the removal of above!
4) Many imported U series pianos have no lock on the fall.
5) Very late (serial 6-million plus) imports have the "U1" badge stuck on the frame in plastic letters, UK models are printed in black.
6) You can if all else fails, probably email Yamaha-Kemble the serial number, and ask if the piano came via them.

Residual values of genuine UK stock will always be higher because generally speaking, you know where they've been. Traceability. Just like your organic pork.

Go for the most recent you can afford, although I reckon the mid 5-million mark are the best, just before Yamaha decided to make the classic look of the U1 uglier with the 'slow fall' system, but that's largely an aesthetic preference of mine.

[ajsaddacs]

We have today bought a lovely Yamaha U1 (4.3 mil ) from a local dealer, Gordon Bell in Aberdeen. The piano is in great condition and we really love it.
Many thanks to all (especially Piano Guy and Barry) for much advice over the past few months as we struggled to decided what to buy and where to buy it .
I think your advice is good, to go with a local reputable dealer rather than be inticed by internet and other "bargains"!
Yamahappy!

[PianoGuy]

I think your advice is good, to go with a local reputable dealer rather than be inticed by internet and other "bargains"!
Yamahappy!

Word!

Congrats!