Yamaha GH1 vs. Kawai GE-3 was: Nordiska vs. K&C
Brian Murphy
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about the Nordiska and Kohler
and Campbell grand pianos.
My wife and I decided to follow some of the suggestions and look for
uprights (specifically, the Yamaha U1 and Kawai K50). It looks like this
has just complicated the issue. I think we had decided on the U1 for a
upright if we go that way, but we still don't want an upright. We decided to
move the bar a little higher and look a slightly higher priced grand pianos.
The prices we looked at slipped a little higher that I had intended, but,
hey, what are you going to do?
Here is our current dilema: Yamaha GH1 for $10995 or Kawai GE3 (not the
GE1) for $10995. The Yamaha GH1 seems to be a good piano and has the Yamaha
name behind it, but the deja searches from this group seem to indicate that
it is definitely does not have the quality of their C series or better
pianos. The Yamaha salesman was quite good at extolling its virtues, but
the opinions here made me wonder.
The Kawai GE3 seems like an excellent deal being that it is a 5'9" piano for
the same price as the Yamaha GH1 (5'3"). The real competitor to the Yamaha
GH1 would normaly be the Kawai GE1 (5'1" I think), but the 5'9" GE3 is at
this time, the same price as the GH1. The plastic stuff inside doesn't seem
to bother me too much right now. Are there any significant findings that
would cause me to worry about the plastic? My wife seems to like the sound
and feel of the Kawai.
From the deja archies, I have noticed a lot of comparisons between the
Yamaha C series and the Kawai RX series. I don't think we will be able to
afford the C series or the Kawai RX series pianos right now. Is purchasing
the lower prices GH or GE pianos a mistake? Are the Yamaha GH series pianos
any good? How about the Kawai GE series? Is $11k about right for either or
both of these pianos? For this price range, should we again limit ourselves
to trying to find an upright or a quality used piano? Also, is there a
real reason to choose Yamaha over Kawai (or vice versa)? For this price
range ($11k), am I missing another brand of piano that should seriously be
considered?
I guess a third option would still be the used market. We are considering
this and are looking into financing options, but right now, I would like
info on the pianos listed above.
Once again, thanks for the responses to my previous posts. I am looking
forward to hear from you all once again.
Brian Murphy
br...@murfman.net
Fredisg
anything you are considering. For the same money you should be able to find,
with a bit of patience, a used C2, or even a G2 for a bit less. You will be so
much happier. Look for the Schimmel!
Irwin Goldberg....pianist, conductor.
bebop...@my-deja.com
Aaah...got sucked into spending more money, huh??? Don't feel bad -
it's happened to most of us :-).
You said you were an engineer? Wow - for someone that doesn't play
piano, you've certainly taken to researching your options thoroughly.
Good for you. You're right on the money when you talk about the two
series of pianos that you are focusing on - these are the "value"
options by Yamaha and Kawai. I'm sure that you know many of the
differences between the GH/GE and the C/RX models - although others may
be able to help with specifics. They are both solid pianos that are a
qualitative step above what you were looking at before.
The only thing that I would say is that part of the $11,000 that you
are spending is to specifically have that name (Yamaha or Kawai) on the
fallboard...what I mean by that is that there are other pianos out
there that may not have the sizzle of the Yamaha or Kawai that might be
better values. For example, instead of settling for the "value" line
of Yamaha or Kawai, $11K will probably get you into the "premium" line
of Korean pianos - the Young Chang Pramberger series or Samick
World/Millenium series. I think that many on this board would agree
that these pianos are a step up from the entry-level YC or Samick
lines, and are probably worth a listen.
Another option, if you can find it, is a small Weinbach grand (I
believe that it is a 5'3"), which is made by Petrof. I think that,
with a few minor differences, this piano is the same piano as the
Petrof V. I've never played the Petrof V, but I did play the Petrof
III (6'4") in my recent piano search. Petrof pianos are known for
their lovely tone, and would probably be a different sound all together
from the Japanese/Korean options above. I looked into Weinbach prices
for a friend of mine, and I do believe that their small grand can be
had for around $11K - if you can find one to try, that is.
One of the difficult things about this exercise is that no matter what
your budget is, you can ALWAYS spend more! It's all about
options...the bigger the budget, the more quality options you have.
Good luck in drawing the line SOMEWHERE :-).
Bill
In article <Xse26.99110$15.20...@news1.rdc1.az.home.com>,
Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/
imagin...@my-deja.com
> Here is our current dilema: Yamaha GH1 for $10995 or Kawai GE3
For what it's worth---to my ear the 4'11" GA1 sounds better than the
GH1! You should make sure you include that piano when you're comparing
various shorter grands (and you should also compare some full-size
grands, too, so you know what the compromises are)
--
ib
a...@abc.net
Seriouly GH1 is not cmpare to GE3, please.
GH1is a GSO
Go for the GE3 it is a good deal.
On thr other hand, another better deal you can get
two chinese made grands with that price.
That is what the rest of the guys saying for a good deal.
Steve Cohen
the Kawai GE-3 over the Yamaha GH1 IF YOU LIMIT THE CHOICE TO THESE
TWO. The GH1 and the GE-3 are about the same quality in construction
but the 5'9" size makes the Kawai a better buy.
In article <92bv3s$kop$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
--
Steve Cohen
Jasons Music Center
Dave Zappa
Brian Murphy wrote in message ...
>Hello all!
>
>Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about the Nordiska and Kohler
>and Campbell grand pianos.
So it was YOU that started all that commotion.....
:-) <------ That is a smiley face which means I am being LIGHT here people!
(Now I feel like I need to expalin the obvious)
>Here is our current dilema: Yamaha GH1 for $10995 or Kawai GE3 (not the
>GE1) for $10995. The Yamaha GH1 seems to be a good piano and has the
Yamaha
>name behind it, but the deja searches from this group seem to indicate that
>it is definitely does not have the quality of their C series or better
>pianos. The Yamaha salesman was quite good at extolling its virtues, but
>the opinions here made me wonder.
The Yamaha GH1 is slipping if you want my opinion, and that's only based on
casual contact with them over the past few years. They are not on the same
plane as a C1 to be certain. The Yamaha salesperson should be good at
extolling it's virtues, that is his job.
>The Kawai GE3 seems like an excellent deal being that it is a 5'9" piano
for
>the same price as the Yamaha GH1 (5'3"). The real competitor to the Yamaha
>GH1 would normaly be the Kawai GE1 (5'1" I think), but the 5'9" GE3 is at
>this time, the same price as the GH1.
Given those two choices I would buy the Kawai in a heartbeat. (Please note
here that while I was in the biz I NEVER sold Kawai, and never NOT sold
Yamaha). It's bigger and basically is built on the same "platform".
(Consumer grade, home-type pianos)
>The plastic stuff inside doesn't seem
>to bother me too much right now. Are there any significant findings that
>would cause me to worry about the plastic? My wife seems to like the sound
>and feel of the Kawai.
The second sentence is the important one. Don't worry about ABS. (Sweet
Lord Jesus, did I just say that??!!) My Yamaha sales trainers are going to
hunt me down and kill me...... :-) <----- Smiley face - see above.
>
>From the deja archies, I have noticed a lot of comparisons between the
>Yamaha C series and the Kawai RX series. I don't think we will be able to
>afford the C series or the Kawai RX series pianos right now. Is purchasing
>the lower prices GH or GE pianos a mistake?
No more that buying a Chinese or Korean piano would be a mistake - or buying
a Boston, Bosie or S&S would be a mistake. Buy as much piano as you can
possibly afford without altering your lifestyle or putting a second mortgage
on the house.
>Are the Yamaha GH series pianos
>any good? How about the Kawai GE series?
Yes and yes, for what they are and what they cost.
> Is $11k about right for either or
>both of these pianos?
I would say the GE3 is the better deal of the two. I'm curious here & maybe
you current dealers can help me out, did Kawai purposely build the GE3 to
compete with the GH1 (ie: are their wholesales close) or is the Kawai dealer
dropping his shorts a little?
>For this price range, should we again limit ourselves
>to trying to find an upright or a quality used piano? Also, is there a
>real reason to choose Yamaha over Kawai (or vice versa)? For this price
>range ($11k), am I missing another brand of piano that should seriously be
>considered?
No, no and probably.
DZ :-)