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Kawai
vs. Boston pianos
We are often asked what the difference between these
two pianos are and thought it would be helpful to address some of
the more common question we receive. The following answers are our
opinion and based on a combination of technical information we have
obtained directly from the Steinway piano manufacturer
and our own eye witness accounts having visited the Kawai factory in
Japan several times.
Question:
Are the Boston pianos built by Steinway?
Answer:
No the Boston pianos are completely built by Kawai in Japan.
Question:
Aren’t the parts for Boston built by Steinway and shipped to Kawai
for assembly?
Answer:
No, the parts for the Boston are manufactured by Kawai.
Question:
Isn’t it true the Boston pianos are built in a special part of the
Kawai factory with specially trained Steinway technicians?
Answer:
No, the Kawai and Boston pianos are all built together in the same
part of the factory by the same workers.
Question:
Doesn’t the association the Boston piano has with Steinway insure it
will have a higher resale in the future than a Kawai.
Answer:
Actually of the three pianos mentioned, Kawai has established the
highest resale. According to the marketing company Steinway quotes,
a Steinway built in 1959 would resale in 1988 for about 2.3 times
the original purchase price. Kawai pianos in a similar time span of
29 years (1968 to 1997) were often being sold for more than 4 times
the original purchase price. The truth is, any good piano that is
well maintained will hold or increase from its original purchase
price if given enough time.
Question: I was told
that Kawai pianos have a high tension scale which would effect their longevity
.
Answer: Actually the
Kawai pianos have a standard string tension similar to other world class pianos and certainly Kawai did not earn their great reputation by building pianos that fall apart. Let’s examine
the overall tension on two similar sized instruments.
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Kawai RX2 5’10” string tension = 16.99 metric
tons
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Steinway L 5’10” string tension = 16.60 metric
tons
It’s interesting to note that the Kawai piano has a string tension very similar to Steinway and therfore is not considered a "high tension" scale.
However having noted that, it
should be made clear that both the Kawai and Boston pianos are very high quality and
will last generations.
We sincerely hope this helps to clarify any
misunderstanding concerning these two well made pianos.
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