#kawai nd21 upright piano

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Where to Find the Kawai Serial Number & Where are Kawai Pianos Made?

One of the questions we get on pretty much a daily basis from customers all over the world is where to find the Kawai serial number on their piano, and more specifically, where does Kawai put them on their acoustic pianos. This is of course very important information if you’re looking at a second-hand piano, or looking to sell your own.

In this article and companion video, we’ll cover how to find the Kawai piano serial number production dates and actual dates of production, what the serial numbers actually mean, and by extension, where Kawai pianos are currently made.

Hopefully, this FAQ answers the questions you have and means you don’t have to contact Kawai directly.

Where to Find the Kawai Serial Number on a Grand Piano Kawai Grand Piano Serial Numbers

So, let's start by addressing the easiest question of all; where to find the serial number on a Kawai piano.

Kawai grand piano serial numbers are going to be imprinted directly on this iron plate. The easiest way to see it is to simply remove the music desk and look just behind the tuning pins. Here you’ll find two different pieces of information stamped onto the plate.

The first will be the serial number - a 5 to 7-digit number that is preceded by a letter two. The second thing you’ll find stamped there will be the exact model number, whether that’s KG2, RX3, GL10, etc.

On some of the higher-end instruments, the model number might be a crest or emblazoned marking as in the case of a handmade Shigeru Kawai SK-7. In most cases, it’s likely to be ink directly on the plate just like the Kawai serial number is.

Where to Find the Kawai Serial Number on Upright Piano Kawai Upright Piano Serial Numbers

The serial number is going to be located in a similar place on a Kawai upright piano, but given the inherent physical differences, you’ll go about finding it in a different way.

Typically, you’ll be able to see both the serial and model numbers if you flip open the top lid as both will be stamped towards the top of the plate.

The serial number will generally be on the right-hand side, and like on the grand pianos, will be anywhere from a 5 to a 7-digit number that may or may not be proceeded by a letter. To the left, you'll see an alphanumeric code that indicates the model, such as K-300, ND21, or a KX model for example.

What Does the Serial Number Tell Us?

The serial number can actually tell you quite a bit about a given piano besides the age. The Kawai Technical Support website has a fairly extensive list of serial numbers and serial number ranges separated by Country of production, which goes all the way to as recent as 2020 production.

Japanese Built Kawais

A couple of quick ways to tell where your musical instrument was produced are based on the format of the serial number. If you’re looking at a seven-digit number, that means that the piano was produced in Japan, very likely at the Ryuyo factory in Hamamatsu.

A seven-digit number also indicates that the piano was built from about the early 1970s onward. The current serial number ranges that you’ll find in more recently built pianos all start with a 25 or 26, with the latest crop getting up to about 2.7 million.

If there’s any doubt about whether or not a Kawai piano was made in Japan, you can rest assured that if there’s no letter in front of the seven-digit serial number, it was definitely Japanese-built.

Japanese Built Kawai Serial Number List Indonesian Built Kawais

Any Kawai serial numbers that are preceded by the letter F indicate that the piano was built at Kawai’s secondary factory in Karawang, Indonesia. They produce a number of different models at their Indonesian facility including the GL-10 baby grand piano, and K-15, and they also finish production on the K-200s here as well.

In some of those models, there are also a number of components coming in from Japan with final assembly taking place in Karawang, Indonesia.

These pianos usually start with the letter F which is followed typically by about a five-digit number. These numbers are also available on Kawai's website. Most of these pianos are usually no older than about 15 years old to 20 years old.

Indonesian Built Kawai Serial Number List Chinese & North Americans Built Kawais

There are always questions about whether any Kawais are coming from China or whether another company that does a lot of OEM like Pearl River produces pianos for them.

In North America - and we can say this with complete confidence - every single Kawai piano coming into North America for sale is either produced at the Japanese factory in Ryuyo in Hamamatsu or at the Indonesian factory in Karawang. There are no Chinese-produced, partially Chinese-produced pianos that are landing in North America for sale within North America currently.

In the past, Kawai did produce their KX series uprights in China for the Canadian market, but production of the KX series pianos stopped in 2013. These pianos feature 5-digit serial numbers with no preceding letter.

Kawai was also produced from 1988 to 2004, and these pianos have 4 to 6-digit serial numbers preceded by the letter A.

Chinese & North American Built Kawai Serial Number List

Production Date vs Sold Date

One last consideration we need to point out; when looking up a serial number, we need to caution potential buyers about one idiosyncrasy of the piano industry that happens to be very different than electronics and cars.

In the piano business, there are a lot more difficulty warehousing products in the specific region where said product will eventually be sold. As a result, manufacturers tend to ship in very large batches which means that some pianos might end up sitting in the warehouse for a long time.

For example, this means you may be looking at a piano with a serial number stating it was built in 2017, yet the current owner is able to produce a receipt showing that it was purchased new in 2019.

Discrepancies like this are common and simply indicate that the piano was finished at the factory in 2017, but not sold until 2019. This is still a brand new piano in 2019 that never would have been out of the box and well taken care of in a climate-controlled environment up to the point of sale.

Wrap Up

We hope that this article and companion video has been able to shed a little bit of new light on where you can find the serial number on your Kawai pianos, and what that serial number may mean. We also have a handy serial number lookup on our website that may be of use to you too.

Thanks for reading!

The post Roland LX706 | Digital Piano Review | Roland LX Series Luxury Digital Upright Pianos first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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5 lý do đàn piano Kawai ND21 được ưa chuộng tại Việt Nam

Piano Kawai ND-21 luôn nhận được sự quan tâm của những người học nhạc, bởi giá đàn piano Kawai cực hấp dẫn, thiết kế đẹp, kiểu dáng trẻ trung và âm thanh cực hay, …

Hãy cùng chúng tôi tìm hiểu về đàn piano Kawai ND21 & những lý do mà đàn piano Kawai ND21 được nhiều người lựa chọn nhé!

1.Đàn piano Kawai ND21có thiết kế hiện đại, trẻ trung

Đàn piano Kawai ND21 là dòng đàn mới của thương hiệu piano Upright Kawai sau dòng K series. Kawai ND21 — cái tên đã nói lên tất cả, ND-21 mang ý nghĩa New Design “Thiết Kế Mới”, 21 chỉ số chiều cao 121 cm.

Về tổng quát, đàn piano Kawai ND21 mang nhiều nét ấn tượng trong thiết kế. Nhìn từ bên ngoài, cây đàn piano Kawai ND-21 khoác lên mình một chiếc áo đen huyền bí. Màu đen không chỉ giúp cây đàn piano Kawai ND21 thêm sang trọng mà còn giúp nó mạnh mẽ hơn.

Đàn piano Kawai ND21có thiết kế hiện đại, trẻ trung

Ngoài màu đen thì những chi tiết như logo thương hiệu Kawai, pedal, các bản lề, bánh xe đôi bằng kim loại bạc càng tôn lên được phong cách và sự tr��� trung. Không chỉ dừng lại ở khía cạnh màu sắc, những đường thiết kế thẳng đứng, góc cạnh càng khiến chiếc đàn piano Kawai ND21 càng thêm chắc chắn và vững chải hơn.

2. Piano Kawai ND-21 có giá thành hợp lý — phù hợp với thị trường Việt Nam

Tại thị trường piano Việt Nam, tỷ lệ người mua đàn piano mới khá thấp. Theo thống kê của công ty nhạc cụ Việt Thương, cứ 10 người mua piano thì chỉ có 1 người mua đàn piano mới. Điều này cũng dễ hiểu khi nền kinh tế khó khăn và giá đàn piano cũ thường rẻ hơn rất nhiều với đàn piano mới.

Piano Kawai ND-21 có giá thành hợp lý — phù hợp với thị trường Việt Nam

Tuy nhiên lựa chọn đàn piano cũ kèm theo những rủi ro về chất lượng và những hệ lụy sau này không may xảy ra. Nếu như hiện nay bạn bỏ ra một số tiền khoảng 50–60 triệu để mua được một cây đàn piano cũ thì tại sao không lựa chọn đàn piano Kawai ND21 với giá 72.900.000 vnd yên tâm sử dụng với những gói bảo hành chính hãng, lên dây, bảo dưỡng định kỳ, tuổi thọ lâu dài, âm thanh chuẩn, thiết kế đẹp. Đây sẽ là điều mà bạn cần suy nghĩ khi đang có nhu cầu tìm mua đàn piano cũ phục vụ cho việc học tập cũng như giải trí trong gia đình.

3.Kawai ND-21 đến từ một thương hiệu uy tín

Đàn piano Kawai ND21 là một dòng sản phẩm của thương hiệu piano nổi tiếng KAWAI giới thiệu đến các tín đồ yêu nhạc trong năm 2015. Thương hiệu piano Kawai là một trong những hãng piano uy tín, chất lượng hàng đầu Nhật Bản được nhiều khách hàng trên thế giới lựa chọn. Piano Kawai cũng là một thương hiệu piano được nhận khá nhiều giải thưởng về sản phẩm với hơn 45 giải thưởng quốc tế.

Kawai ND-21 đến từ một thương hiệu uy tín

Nhật Bản một đất nước được mọi người dân trên thế giới đánh giá cao về những sản phẩm công nghệ cũng như nhiều sáng chế chất lượng. Đàn piano là loại nhạc cụ đa phần được lắp ráp thủ công và đòi hỏi sự tỉ mỉ của nghệ nhân, vì vậy đàn piano sản xuất ở các nước Châu Âu được đánh giá rất cao. Nhưng người Nhật đã khẳng định với thế giới về khả năng sản xuất đàn piano của mình bởi hai thương hiệu lớn là Kawai và Yamaha.

4. Đàn piano ND21 là đàn mới nên bạn yên tâm các chính sách bảo hàng chính hãng.

Đối với đàn piano Kawai ND21, hãng piano áp dụng chương trình bảo hành lên đến 5 năm với các lỗi như Pedal, lún hoặc kẹt phím đàn, búa đàn, bung phím, lỗi action, bảo dưỡng định kỳ 3 lần chưa bao gồm lần đầu tiên khi bàn giao đàn. Tặng kèm phụ kiện chính hãng như: ghế piano, khăn phủ phím, ống sưởi và những dịch vụ miễn phí vận chuyển nội thành, … quả là hấp dẫn phải không nào.

5. Âm thanh hay tương xứng với chi phí

Đàn piano Kawai ND21 được nhiều chuyên gia đánh giá là cây đàn có âm thanh hay, phù hợp cho việc học đàn & giải trí tại nhà. Với giá thành chỉ khoảng 70 triệu, đàn piano Kawai ND21 sẽ là một sự lựa chọn phù hợp cho những bạn muốn theo đuổi con đường nghệ thuật chuyên nghiệp.

Nếu các bạn cần thêm những thông tin hữu ích về đàn piano Kawai ND21 xin hãy truy cập vào Website Kawai.vn — Website chuyên về tin tức “đàn piano Kawai tại Việt Nam”.

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Kawai ND21 Upright Piano Review & Demo by Merriam Pianos

Introduction

The ND-21 is a Kawai Upright Piano that has been a disruptive and hugely successful force in the piano industry - one that has filled a previous gap in the marketplace: a 48" upright piano from a Japanese manufacturer that directly competes against its own used products as well as those of Yamaha, like the Yamaha U1 or Kawai BL, US, or K series. While it lacks some of the more recent developments of Kawai's upper level K series, the ND21 is by all accounts, a reissue of the Kawai K25 / K30 upright pianos of the 1990's, done in a stunning monochrome design of nickel and ebony polish - and most importantly, using the same craftsmanship that Kawai continues to invest heavily into.

It makes it an incomparable value on today's piano market, and a welcome alternative to the age-old binary option of selecting a digital piano or a 40 year old used Yamaha U1 if you're shopping for a beginner student.

We hope you enjoy Stu Harrison's video review and accompanying article on the instrument, and thanks for checking out Merriam Pianos.

Kawai ND-21 Upright Piano Review Video Transcription

Hey everybody, welcome to another piano review. I'm Stu Harrison. We're here at Merriam Pianos, and we're in our Oakville showroom today, just outside of Toronto, Canada, and we're looking at Kawai's ND21. This is a limited release 48-inch upright model that is not necessarily going to be available in all markets. Brought to market based on overwhelming demand for this type of product, as well as a full-throated response to Yamaha's B3 model, this has become perhaps the best alternative that I'm aware of on the market to a used 48-inch used Japanese piano.

We all know that if you're a parent and you are just getting into lessons, you've probably had a piano teacher or a friend along the way say, "Go find a used Yamaha U1" or, "Go find a used 48-inch Kawai____" (all of the different model names that they have). And of course, it feels like if your budget is floating in and around that $5,000 price point plus or minus $1,000 or so, there isn't a lot else out there if you want to keep it at a 48-inch level. Perhaps you're not feeling like you want to kind of go with a lesser-known name or get something made from China, if that happens to be a concern for you.

If that sounds familiar, it's certainly a common occurrence here in Toronto as well. We have a multitude of parents that come to us looking for just that. They've spent hours on Google trying their best to discern good from bad, but it's complex and virtually impossible to evaluate a used piano based on description alone. So we do of course accommodate those customers by making sure we stock good quality used product, but we always felt that it would be great to be offer a credible alternative to a used Kawai or a used Yamaha.

So the ND21 was something that Kawai approached the piano world with as a low-cost SKU with outstanding sound, back posts, wooden keys, solid spruce soundboard, and ABS action. I know it's available in a few different markets. But certainly, right here at home, this is proving to be just an absolute home run with the market because here we have a 48-inch piano, meets all the criteria for most piano teachers looking for something of that size just so that the dynamic range is there, and the tonal palette is there.

It is made at Kawai's Indonesian facility, which is the same one that makes the GL10 baby grand piano. Also the same factory that finishes the assembly for their K200, also makes some of the Boston pianos for Steinway, so a fantastic factory with a fantastic reputation, putting out great products already.

Moving into some details on the piano, let's start at the beginning: where did the ND21 come from? From discussions with Kawai insiders as well as studying the internal structures and scale design, this appears to be essentially a re-issue of the K25, a widely produced 48" piano from about 20 years ago. It was sort of one of the predecessors to Kawai K3, which was the very first piano to be equipped with the Millennium III action.

This makes the model extremely efficient from a cost standpoint: they don't have to invest in new gear; they don't have to invest in new stamps, new jigs, new scale designs; it's using their first generation ABS action which had 30 years of proven performance in the marketplace. And so... poof...here we are with what appears to be essentially a brand new model. But really, it's like if you just opened a time capsule, and you were able to find a brand new 1990s era Kawai piano with a full 10-year warranty, and what quite a few people have really appreciated is an alternative to the traditional brass color. We've got chrome both in the hinges, the logo, and also the pedalboards. So besides that, you've got an instrument that really looks and behaves very much like a mint condition, perfect '90s used 48-inch Japanese piano.

Musical Comparisons to the K300 and Yamaha U1

Musically speaking, one of the things I noticed on the ND-21 is that there's a ton of sympathetic resonance that you get out of this instrument. That's typical of a lot of the Kawai's. And I think it's one of the trademark things that separates a Kawai sound from a Yamaha sound. Besides the fact that for the same size cabinet, Kawais tend to have a slightly longer bass string, I also find that the Kawai cabinets just tend to resonate a little bit more, and so you get a bit more warmth and you get a slightly bigger acoustical envelope around the whole instrument.

Action

Another thing I really like about having an ND21 on the floor next to our K series, because we get the question all the time, "Well, this is great. You're saying wonderful things about this piano. Why would we spend any more and get the K300, which is also a 48-inch piano?" well, when you've got them side by side and you can play them, you actually do notice that there is extra value that you do get for your money if you go with the K300. Can you feel the difference between this Kawai Ultra-Responsive Action and the Millennium III action? Yes. For a really advanced player who's looking for an action that's going to be as responsive as a grand, is this going to give it to you? No. I'd give that probably like a 7 out of 10 in terms of delivering something that's going to have as responsive an action, whereas I would give the K300 probably more like a 9 out of 10. K300 you're getting longer keys than you get on the ND21. You're getting a different action design, which does produce a faster repetition speed and a little bit more accuracy when you're playing really, really softly. And you have different key surfaces - in this case, the key surface is acrylic.

So what this action is ideal for is somebody who's just starting out, or an institutional or teaching situation where you want to get an acoustic piano with lots of good bass, you want it to be well built, with low maintenance, servicing players at a beginner or intermediate level. This is just perfect for churches or public schools. And I have been loving this model too. We've used this model in several classrooms in our own school. And of course, parents who are just starting out and want an acoustic versus a digital for the first instrument in the house, I mean, this is literally a perfect solution.

Hammers

Second thing, K300 comes with double felted hammers. The ND21 has got single felted hammers. So does that make a difference for, let's say, the bulk of your playing? No. Where is this going to make a difference? Well, again, your advanced players who really are going to be starting to push the upper range of their dynamic capability as players. So, you know, pushing into the fortissimo, or even the triple fortissimo range, and you're starting to develop the ability to control those tones and those overtones. Well, single felted hammer isn't really going to give you that. It's not supposed to. It's never going to. So if you push this piano hard, it is going to start to distort a little bit. You'll hear it. But again, who is this going to affect primarily? Well, your advanced players who really have developed that touch, and that palette, and that ear. It usually takes anywhere from 5 to 10 years to develop. But again, are you going to get that out of a 20 to 30-year-old used pianos that this has been compared to? Not even a chance. You're often dealing with highly compressed hammers that are past their prime. They're still functional, but they're going to distort even quicker than this is.

Another thing that's really great to get on a piano of this price, a brand new solid spruce soundboard, super unusual, and this is exactly what Kawai is putting on here, solid, spruce Sitka soundboard. And so you get really beautiful resonance, but the sustain is fantastic too. I know we're talking about a new instrument. But again, when you get this type of performance for an instrument that, like I said, this is hitting right around the $5,000 U.S. mark.

Casters & Fallboard

That's great. Now, another thing that's going to be, I would say, more of a feature for semi-professional or commercial buyers or users of this instrument, it's got rugged double rubber casters. This piano is easier to move than the majority of our $20,000 uprights here that are supposed to have primo casters. We can move this with one hand all around carpeted floor, hardwood floor, no issues. So for users where that's even a factor, it's a really nice thing. It is very easy to move around, an ND21. And it's easy to get it on and off a coaster as well. So something to keep in mind, it's not going to be a value point for everybody, but it, you know, might be something of interest for some of you. The ND-21, like most new pianos these days, also includes an adjustable bench

Another thing to be aware of, the ND21 is not going to give you that slow fall. So, it depends on your parenting philosophy. You're going to have some people say, "Well, I don't want my kids anywhere around this because they might slam their hands." Other people might say, "Well, it'll only happen once, and then they'll learn their lesson and likely won't slam ever again." So not sure where you fall in that spectrum, but it is something to be aware of. This one doesn't have the slow fall, and that may be a factor as well.

Nickel Cabinet

One last thing I am going to mention because I think it's kind of cool, the inside of this instrument, they've really gone for quite a unique contemporary look. So just on the outside, as we said, they're not using the brass coloring, they've actually decided to color the iron plate this really interesting matte black finish. It's almost like kind of a gun metally engine block type of thing to match the overall sleek black and chrome look of the outside of the instrument. There is no difference in material whatsoever. It's not like this is a different type of plate or some sort of a synthetic, same iron plate just like Kawai is going to be using on any of the others. Of course, it's nice, easy to access, and you can see that it's got that felt for a mute bar that also makes it really, really easy.

Conclusions

So, to wrap up, here we've got, like I've been saying throughout this review, in my mind, quite possibly the most ideal and straightforward alternative to a used Japanese 48-inch piano that you are going to find certainly in the Canadian market. This has found a really wide audience with first time buyers, parents who aren't looking for digital and really are looking for a safe, low risk option that doesn't involve hunting through Kijiji, through dozens and dozens of Yamaha U1 listings in the $4,000 or $5,000 range, and really never knowing what the ownership history of that instrument has been. This has proved to be just a kind of a magic boat solution for many, many of those people.

So whether or not it works for you, ultimately up to you. You really do need to decide. Every once in a while, you do find that used instrument that just is a absolute gem, great price, great music, and we find them too. So I'm not suggesting that that not be a part of your search, but what I am suggesting is it doesn't need to be the only part of your search. Make sure you put this on the list. Check it out. And of course, if you're in the Toronto area, come by see us. We've got an ND21 on both of our floors in Oakville and Vaughan all times, ready and waiting to be played. So I hope this has been helpful. Good luck with your search. Come see us if you can, and we'll see you back next time for another piano review soon. Thanks very much.

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Essex EUP-123 vs Kawai ND21 | Upright Piano Comparison & Review

There’s no question that the new, 48”, ebony polish upright piano market is dominated by the Yamaha U1 and Kawai K-300 due to the combination of price, quality and musical potential these two pianos offer.

Of course, there are a variety of more expensive, high-end options available in this classic studio size, particularly from Europe, but there hasn’t always been a less expensive, new piano alternative. That’s where the Essex UP-123 and Kawai ND-21 come in.

Both of these are 48”, polished black upright pianos that be purchased new in 2022 for quite a bit less than a new U1 or K-300. In fact, both can be had for about the same price as a fine digital piano.

In this article and accompanying video, we’re going to compare a couple of 3-year-old examples of these two instruments and see how they stack up to one another.

Essex EUP-123 vs Kawai ND21 - Background Information Why is this an Important Comparison?

When our video team was deciding what type of video to shoot one particular week, it occurred to us that we had a unique opportunity in front of us as we had a pair of 48” upright acoustic pianos - an Essex EUP-123e and a Kawai ND21 on the floor of one of our showrooms, both quite new having only been built in 2017.

Both pianos were in exceptional condition and had recently been tuned, regulated and voiced. They both happen to cost almost exactly the same new and are targeted at folks looking for a new 48”, institutional studio upright piano in polished ebony that doesn’t completely break the bank.

Country of Origin

The ND21 is not available in the United States, unfortunately, but it is available in Canada, Europe and Australia. What it is essentially is an Indonesian assembled reproduction of a Kawai K-25, which was an earlier precursor of the current Kawai K-300.

The EUP-123 while boasting a Steinway design is made by Pearl River in China for distribution through the Steinway & Sons dealer network as a way for Steinway to offer a much more affordable product.

Interestingly, right away it was obvious that despite the similar price points, these are actually very different instruments with divergent playing experiences. Let’s start by comparing the tone of each piano.

Comparing Upright Piano Sound A Perfect Example of a Kawai Upright Piano

Characteristically, the ND21 has a fairly round tone across the entire sound spectrum, which is pretty much in line with the vast majority of Kawai acoustic pianos. Yamaha pianos are generally considered ‘bright’, while Kawai’s tend to be thought of as ’warm’, and while Yamaha has done a lot of work in recent years to darken their sound, these general tonal guidelines still tend to be the case.

The differences between the Essex EUP-123 vs Kawai ND-21 aren’t completely dissimilar to another comparison we recently did where we tested the Boston 178 against the Kawai GX-2. This could be because they’re using similar hammers on the Boston’s as they are on the Essex pianos.

Snapshot of the Essex EUP-123

The EUP-123 has a nice, loud and open tone with lots of resonance, especially in the mid-range and when the top lid is open. At the same time, it also happens to have much less variety of tone, meaning there’s always a punch regardless of dynamic level.

The ND21 on the other hand is capable of a more intimate sound when you want to go there, but when you push it, you can still draw out the same level of brightness as the EUP-123. Typically, when you have differences like this, a large contributing factor is the hammers - both regarding the material selection, geometry and design.

So, that’s a major difference we’re perceiving here - the ND21 has a wider tonal palette available to the player, whereas the EUP123 is providing full-spectrum tone no matter what.

Stylistic Considerations, Design Differences & Bass Register

For players that don’t have or aren’t working towards advanced technique, this aspect of the Essex EUP-123 could be a good thing as the player does not have to work as hard to get a clear treble tone, which can be helpful for jazz or pop playing.

Another difference is the fact that the EUP-123 is designed to have a more reverberant cabinet than the ND21, as evidenced by the huge spruce back posts. The ND21 has back posts too, but they’re entirely structural and don’t really contribute to the tone.

They’ve also gone with a shorter, tubbier bass string on the EUP-123 than on the ND21 meaning the EUP-123 is going to have a ‘woofier’ and more colorful bass tone, while the ND21 produces a more clear bass tone.

There’s no right or wrong here as it really comes down to personal preference.

Soundboard Materials Kawai ND21 Solid Spruce Soundboard

In terms of the soundboards, both of these instruments have solid spruce soundboards, and neither one uses a laminated soundboard, so that’s a big positive.

Laminated soundboards will be less resonant and thus provide less musical potential. Virtually any acoustic piano with outstanding sound will almost certainly have a solid spruce soundboard.

What Makes the Essex EUP-123 a Steinway Product?

Now, before we move on to action, let’s cover a question many of you might be asking. What is Pearl River getting from Steinway that allows them to market the Essex line as a Steinway product?

Unlike the Boston line of pianos which does feature some genuine Steinway components, there are no Steinway parts making their way into the Essex line. It's a Pearl River product through and through based on designs from Steinway, though it’s definitely one of the nicer lineups Pearl River produces.

Examining Piano Action - Construction and Feel All Wood Essex Action with Steinway Designed Geometry

The first thing that this Essex piano is reminiscent of in terms of the action is the old Baldwin 247s. These were instruments that had somewhat short actions, but their blow distance was larger, so the strike speed was higher and the result was a very specific sense of motion on the key. This type of action is great for medium and higher volume playing but can be quite challenging when you’re trying to coax a mellow, more gentle tone out of the instrument at lower volumes.

Essex uses an all-wood action with solid spruce keys with Steinway specified geometry and hammer materials. The keytops are acrylic which feels nice on the fingers.

Kawai’s Ultra-Responsive Action

The Kawai action on the ND21 is not the Millennium III action that’s featured in the K series uprights, but rather an older ABS version referred to as the Kawai Ultra-Responsive Action. Kawai always talks about prioritizing control in the lower dynamic ranges, and while this isn’t the case with their newest action design, this sometimes comes with a sacrifice in power.

In this case, the ND21’s max volume is about 5% softer than the Essex upright. Depending on your style of playing, you’ll either appreciate this or not care for it. Unfortunately, at this price point, there’s some compromise that needs to happen between extra volume on the EUP123 versus greater control on the ND21.

The key surfaces are acrylic and phenol, which like the Essex, feels very nice. The composite nature of the action means excellent durability over the long term which is why the industry is seeing more and more companies shift away from wood-based actions and move to composites as has happened with other musical instruments and in other manufacturing industries entirely.

Hammer Materials

Both pianos use hardwood hammer shanks with maple hammerheads - in fact, the Yamaha U1 also uses Maple hammerheads. This is a big plus for both pianos.

What’s Better for Piano Students?

Younger students could definitely have trouble preparing for any kind of recital on a grand piano with a lighter action because it’s going to require a lot more force to get the type of volume you need versus the low effort required on the Essex upright piano for max volume.

This is typically why piano teachers will recommend an upright piano with a medium to heavier action.

Cabinet & Aesthetic Considerations Finish Options

The ND21 is only available in a black high polish monochrome design with nickel hardware, while the EUP123 is available in a variety of veneers such as Polished Sapele Mahogany and Satin Sapele Mahogany, ensuring there’s a finish to meet even the most eclectic of homes.

Essex pianos are also available with some special furniture designs courtesy of William Faber for a premium.

Hardware Comparison

The ND21 features silver-colored pedals and accents, while the EUP123 features brass pedals and accents. Both pianos feature rugged double rubber casters making them easy to move, and both include adjustable benches with purchase.

Final Thoughts Summary of the Kawai ND21 and Warranty Information

With the Kawai ND21, we have an instrument that is capable of a tremendous amount of control and finesse for the price. It boasts a dark and rich tonal profile that really, it has no business possessing considering what else is available in this price range.

It's slightly quieter than the EUP123, which for some people will be a positive thing, whereas others will prefer a more powerful sound. It also offers more control from an action standpoint, which is probably also going to be a positive thing long term, especially for a younger beginner.

The Kawa 10-year warranty also happens to be one of the few that is fully transferable within the warranty period, so this can be quite appealing from a resale perspective. Really, there’s not much to quarrel with about this piano.

Summary of the Essex EUP123 and Warranty Information

Over on the Essex EUP123, we've got an instrument with a really nicely resonant cabinet, due to its robust wood back construction and a large, open sound, especially for the price.

The action is reminiscent of an '80s, '90s American-style action which means you’re getting a very strong attack. The trade-off is that it’s more difficult to control in the bottom half of the dynamic range.

Steinway also makes a big deal about the 100% trade-up guarantee to a new Steinway to original purchasers of Essex pianos, but keep in mind that the 100% trade-in value is against full MSRP, which pianos don’t actually sell for. The warranty is also 10 years parts and labour, but this is applicable to the original purchaser only.

Wrap Up

At the end of the day, as we typically say, it’s ideal if you can get out and try both instruments to see which one you really connect with since they really are offering widely divergent musical experiences.

In that sense, it’s a good time to be buying a brand new piano - never before have there been multiple new options with virtually incomparable value overall.

The post Essex EUP-123 vs Kawai ND21 | Upright Piano Comparison & Review first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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Kawai ND21 Upright Piano Review & Demo by Merriam Pianos

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The post Kawai ND21 Upright Piano Review & Demo by Merriam Pianos appeared first on Merriam Music - Toronto's Top Piano Store & Music School.