N
The Daily Insight

What is a Kawai piano?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on February 12, 2026

(???????????, Kabushiki-gaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho, TYO: 7952) is a musical instrument manufacturing company headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. It is best known for its grand pianos, upright pianos, electronic keyboards and electronic synthesizers.

Consequently, are Kawai pianos any good?

Kawai pianos offer a warmer, fuller quality of tone when compared to a normal piano built by Yamaha. This has made them the preferred choice of many classical pianists. The stereotypical sound of a Kawai is broad with a rich fullness which is quite pleasant and lacking unwanted harshness.

Similarly, how long can a Kawai piano last? about 20-30 years old

One may also ask, how much does a Kawai piano cost?

Kawai Pianos for Sale | Buy a Kawai Piano at PianoMart

Year Details Price
2015 Kawai Upright $2,850
1976 Kawai KG6 7'4" $15,000
2009 Kawai Baby Grand, Mint Condition - Sold by Lindeblad Piano $7,900
2018 Pristine Condition Shigeru Kawai $34,950

Where are Kawai pianos made?

Japan

Related Question Answers

Which brand piano is the best quality?

We'll start with the most recognizable name first; Steinway & Sons.
  • Brodmann.
  • Seiler.
  • Baldwin.
  • Bechstein.
  • Kohler & Campbell.
  • Kawai. Kawai pianos are very popular for their dark tone.
  • Bluthner. Bluthner produces excellent grand pianos.
  • Estonia. Estonia pianos have been in production since 1950.

Which upright piano is the best?

Top 10 Best Upright Pianos
  • Yamaha Arius YDP162R.
  • The ONE Smart Piano.
  • Casio Privia PX-160.
  • Casio PX860 BK.
  • Korg B1SP 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano.
  • Yamaha YDP143B Arius.
  • FLYCHORD DP420K.
  • Schiller Special Edition.

Which digital piano is better Kawai or Yamaha?

With that in mind, both Kawai and Yamaha have a different policy when it comes to digital pianos. Yamaha is much more traditional in their approach to mimicking acoustic pianos. Yamaha tends to have a much brighter tone which is still full of warmth, especially in the higher frequency range.

Is Yamaha better than Steinway?

The sound of a Yamaha is what I would consider being “stable”. It's much easier to voice a Steinway to sound like a Yamaha than the other way around. The model piano really does make a difference when comparing Steinway and Yamaha. Overall though I think you'll find Yamaha pianos to be much brighter overall.

What piano is the best?

Here are the best digital pianos and keyboard pianos 2020:
  • Best Keyboard Piano: Roland RD-2000.
  • Best for Home: Yamaha YDP-184.
  • Best Pound for Pound: Yamaha CP88.
  • Best for Classical Music: Kawai MP11SE.
  • Best Value for Money: Casio CGP-700.
  • Best Looking: Nord Stage 3.
  • Best for Jazz: Korg Grandstage 88.

Are all Kawai pianos made in Japan?

Where Are Kawai Grand Pianos Made? With only two exceptions, all Kawai acoustic grand pianos are made in Kawai's renowned Ryuyo Piano Factory located near Hamamatsu, Japan. The Ryuyo factory is one of the most advanced piano-building facilities of its kind.

Why are Yamaha pianos good?

In fact, Yamaha pianos have remained one of the most consistent choices among the pianists. That's primarily because — these music instruments offer superior quality, impeccable music range, and excellent aesthetically pleasing design.

Is Yamaha the best piano?

Yamaha uses high-quality samples obtained from one of its most famous and most outstanding concert pianos – the CFIIIS Concert Grand. Of course, we don't expect the P125 to sound as majestic as its parent piano. But then again, it doesn't sound bad at all. In fact, it sounds really good.

What does Kawai mean?

Kawaii (????, pronounced [ka?ai?i]; "lovable", "cute", or "adorable") is the culture of cuteness in Japan. It can refer to items, humans and nonhumans that are charming, vulnerable, shy, and childlike. Examples include cute handwriting, certain genres of manga, and characters like Hello Kitty and Pikachu.

Are old pianos worth anything?

Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Most antique, upright pianos are worth $500 or less in very good condition. This is because a piano is actually a machine.

How do you pronounce Kawai piano?

Yes, Kawai is a Japanese make. Technically, the Japanese pronunciation is "Kah-wah-ee" with even accent on all three syllables. For the purpose of Anglicizing it: rhyming with Hawaii is probably the closest to the original but then, Americans don't pronounce "Hawaii" quite correctly, either!

How can you tell how old a piano is?

The serial number (NOT the model number) of the piano. To locate the serial number on a vertical piano, open the top and look inside. Almost all of them include the serial number on the plate in a small "window" near the tuning pins. The number will usually be a 4 to 7 digit number, but may include a letter or two.

Why is piano so expensive?

The simple answer is because pianos are more expensive to manufacture than lesser quality instruments. Fact: Pianos are mostly made of wood. The finest materials—top grade spruce, wool felt, expensive hard rock maple, veneers, and all the components that go into the making of a piano — will affect the end result.

Which piano is best for beginners?

Here're our top 10 picks for the best beginner digital piano in 2020:
  • Casio Privia PX-770 Digital Piano.
  • Roland JUNO-DS88 Portable Synthesizer.
  • Yamaha P-125 Digital Piano.
  • Artesia FUN-1 61-Key Children's Digital Piano.
  • Korg B1SP Digital Piano.
  • vidaXL Classic 88-Key Electronic Piano.
  • Yamaha ARIUS YDP-163 Console Digital Piano.

What is the best piano brand for an upright?

Here is a list of the most popular upright pianos on the market today:
  • Bechstein Upright Pianos.
  • Blüthner Upright Piano.
  • Steinway & Sons Upright Pianos.
  • Shigeru Kawai.
  • Schimmel.
  • Yamaha Upright Pianos.

How do I tell how old my Kawai piano is?

For Kawai grand pianos, the serial number is found on the iron plate under the music desk on the right side of the piano (near the tuning pins). You may have to “slide out” the music desk to see it.

Where is Kawai?

Japan

How many years does a piano last?

The average mass produced piano lasts 30 years. Hand-crafted pianos last substantially longer, often exceeding 50 years. Over time, the piano will need regular tuning, regulation, rebuilding, and other maintenance. A well-maintained piano can last in excess of 100 years.

Does the age of a piano matter?

When looking to acquire a used piano, age matters. It matters a lot. Find out how old it is. Pianos always have a serial number and the age can be pulled from that, if the owner doesn't know how old it is. If the piano is older than 40 years old, generally, take a pass on that piano.

Do pianos get better with age?

Pianos do not get better with age. The action has a zillion moving parts that wear out, the hammers wear out, the dampers wear out and don't work right. The pin blocks get loose and/or crack, the sound boards crack, lose their crown and compress. The strings get old, corroded and dead sounding.

What should I look for in a piano?

Before buying a grand acoustic piano or an upright acoustic piano, be sure to look out for:
  • The sound. Before buying a piano, try playing it to determine whether you like the sound.
  • The keys.
  • The location where you will place the piano.
  • The length of warranty.
  • The brand.

Do pianos go bad?

Pianos last approximately 75 to 100 years. Some pianos can last longer, but then some fall apart earlier. If you want a piano for only a few years, you can buy a piano that is 75 years old and still get a couple of years enjoyment out of it.

Are old pianos any good?

Are old pianos better than new ones? The answer is: it depends. Old pianos can continue to sound wonderful for many years with regular maintenance and care, but even pianos that have deteriorated can often be restored to their former glory, and in many cases made to sound even better than when they were new.

How long does a piano soundboard last?

fifty years

How much does an upright piano cost?

Upright Piano Prices You can find a Yamaha upright piano for around $4,500 (they go up to about $19,000), and entry-level Steinway uprights start at $25,600. Baldwin uprights play reliably and hover around $9,000—for more prices, check out the Piano Blue Book.

How do you measure an upright piano?

Close the lid of the piano completely when measuring, and measure from the center of the tail (back) to the front of the piano keys. You want to get the longest measurement of your grand piano. Upright Pianos: Upright (or vertical pianos) are measured by their overall height, from the floor to the very top of the lid.

Who makes the best pianos in the world?

The Top 10 Best Piano Brands In The World
  • Bösendorfer.
  • FAZIOLI.
  • Grotrian.
  • Sauter.
  • Shigeru Kawai.
  • Steinway & Sons (Hamburg)
  • Steingraeber & Söhne.
  • YAMAHA.

What pianos are made in the USA?

United States Only three companies manufacture pianos here in any numbers: Steinway & Sons, Mason & Hamlin, and Charles R.

Is Kawai k300 Made in Japan?

Kawai K300 Japan Professional Upright Piano Ebony Black ( Made in Japan ) For over eighty-seven years, Kawai has been building pianos, boldly pioneering the use of state-of-the-art materials and ideas to advance the piano art form.

How much is Kawai k300?

*SOLD* Kawai K300 Upright Piano built in 2018 (moving sale)
Price: $5,500 USD
Model: K300
Year: 2018
Height: 48"
Finish: Polished

Are all Yamaha pianos made in Japan?

Yamaha pianos sold in the U.S. are made in Japan, China, and Indonesia. In 2009, Yamaha closed its factories in England (with Kemble) and Taiwan. Models formerly made in those factories are now being produced in Yamaha's other Asian plants.

Where are most pianos made?

All pianos are manufactured in China. Schimmel was started in 1885 in Germany.

Where are Yamaha keyboards made?

The Yamaha band instruments that are made in China are made with the exact same standards, materials, tooling, and quality control as the instruments that were made in Japan, USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.

Where are Yamaha digital pianos made?

Yamaha
Founded Headquarters Factories
1887 Hamamatsu, Japan Japan, China, Indonesia

How many keys does a baby grand have?

There are 88 keys on a piano: 52 white keys, 36 black (the sharps or flats).