We bought a GL-30 in Sept of 2021. Our home won’t accommodate more than the GL-30 comfortably and practically. The price of the 30 over the 20 was quite significant. The living portion of our home is only 220- SF (including 3 bedrooms). Out LR and DR are open with a vaulted ceiling producing very good acoustics. My wife agreed to the GL20. Months later I took her back to the showroom and she heard the GL-30 (I, of course, was trying to sell her on it.) To my massive disappointment, she said nothing. Dejected, we took the 75 minute drive home. Total quiet. About half way home I finally asked: “Well, what did you think?” She spoke three words: “It was magnificent!” Then, “Well, why didn’t you say something at the studio?” ‘Because I thought you might buy it.” A month passed and we negotiated, she got new counter tops in the kitchen and both bathrooms with all the accessories. Within a month of it being in our home, she began taking lessons! These are great pianos. The GL-w0 is worth the larger price difference.
Finding out in this video the GL 20 is made in Indonesia now for the U.S sad. Even more depression talking on the phone with the Kawai Piano Gallery by Almo Music rep in St Louis setting up an appointment to test this instrument he did not correct me when I said it was made in Japan, just went along with me. I may be canceling that appointment
Hi! Sorry to here that…I’ve passed your comment to the regional manager in that area to try and make it right with you…there’s a few new folks in stl and they may have just gotten confused…again, my apologies and we always try and make things right with folks if they’ll give us a chance to do so.
Could you tell me what songs Ted was playing? Beautiful music. As a beginner, I purchased a brand new GL10 four months ago and I absolutely love it. It’s a beautiful baby grand sitting in my living room. Thanks for sharing.
@@AmyiReport how much did you pay for the GL10? I’ve been playing 20 years and finally decided to get a baby grand instead of an upright. I was able to negotiate a brand new Kawai GL10 for $10,000 or a brand new GL20 for $12.000. How much did you pay?
@@gustavopaulette3496 I think the price was $10,500 for a brand-new and they were willing to give me a trade in value of my upright piano for $1,000. Total price I paid - $9,500.
I noticed a rounder focused tone on the 20, that extended to the 30, seems the string and board length start to make a difference. Still all 3 sound fantastic. I have a Kawai 42", it's no grand but it plays a beautiful mid-upper register. Can't wait to get a baby grand.
GX 2 is too big. GX 1 is another $6000. The GL30 is magnificent in a 2200 sf home. If I was richer Id consider the GX but its a professional model and not really needed. Have you played and listened to the GL30. Its magnificent. In all respects, I like it better that the $50K Beckstein I played and examined. I think the GL 30 is a better piano. I cant afford a Mason/Hamlin which is the nicest at 5’5” or so. I was going to get a GL20, (In the US the GL30 is substantially more expensive. These are much much less in Europe. (As usual, Americans are ripped off.) But I don’t compare the price/quality issue of the GL30 to the GL20. I compare the GL30 to the $30-$60K pianos. The value/quality ratio is fantastic. Thing is, I can’t comfortably get 5’7” in my home without MAJOR reshuffling - that just doesn’t flow well and gets un-pragmatic.
@@kenpeters9807 I tried a whole piano shop that consisted of steinways, yamahas, etc. and in my opinion the GL-20 beats many pianos worth much more. The touch and the sound is incredible. I did not look at the sticker price when I played it, but when I did I couldn't believe it. It was 14k. They also had a GL-10 which was 11k, but you can really feel and hear the difference on the GL-20 in person. The GL-20 is more resonant and warm, while the GL-10 is colder by comparison. I would disregard the whole beginner, intermediate thing. What sounds good to you is dependent on you! and what works best for you is your space. I hope you get to try them all in person. They did not have a GL-30 to test, so I can't comment on that one vs the GL-20.
I haven't been able to find a comparison video on kawai's gl series vs. their gx series grand pianos. I think it would be interesting to be shown how much difference their is between the 'entry level' pianos and the 'standard level' models from the same manufacturer.
You have to hear them in person. If you have limited space, the GL30 is a great instrument, no matter your level. With a bigger budget, the GX Blac 1 is an upgrade, but in a small home (our whole home has 2200 finished SF) I don’t think that for a $7,500 difference, the sound would not be that noticeable. The touch is the same. Ive gad a well known pro play mine. He owns a 7’ SS. His only negative comment was that the touch was a bit heavy, but okay. He was very impressed with all aspects, including the bass, speed and recovery. He was surprised at the price (it was much much lower than he expected).
@@kenpeters9807 agreed. I’m an advanced pianist. My major in college was piano performance and I had a full ride scholarship to study piano performance. I started off on a cheap Casio keyboard and then a spinet piano. I was a piano performance Major my first year and was still using a cheap everet spinet piano. That didn’t stop me from advancing. Long story short. I stopped playing for a while after I graduated and last year I got inspired again and bought a brand new Kawai GL10. I love the Kawai so much I just put a deposit for a GL30 but I’m a little concerned as my condominium is only 900sq ft. Do you think the Kawai GL30 might be too much for a 900sqft condominium? Now that I’ve been playing on the Kawai GL10 baby grand for a year I would never want to go back to an upright.
@@gustavogo2915 Gustavo, I think you’ll be fine with the GL30. One thing is certain: you’ll love it! It has a very controllable touch to be able to play pianissimo in the later evenings. Only open the lid half way and put pictures on your walls. Carpet or a fig will reduce the volume. Our home and ceiling is well designed acoustically to really carry sound,but the pictures and carpeting do not distort the sound at all. Congrats on your decision.
@@gustavogo2915 I ordered mine (a GL20 at first - there was also a promo) around February two years ago. It arrived at the dealer in September. I had a CA-98 which is a phenomenal instrument with a grand-like feel. That was my baby and I hated to part with it - it brought me a long way. (BTW Kawai dealers frequently give a 15% discount if you push hard enough and don’t seem overly anxious. I wanted the GL30, but the price at the time was too much for her; but I convinced her for the GL20. (I found the difference between the 20 and 10 to be very significant.) We were able to get the GL20 for about $18000, with tax, out the door, in our home. I was willing to “settle” for it. (BTW, my wife and I have a pact that we both honor. Over $1,000, must get the other’s agreement. We each have the right of VETO, so I could have gone against her - with no fight. There is a risk to that; that is why neither of us ever used the VETO. FAST FORWARD. I managed to get her to come with me to a piano store that had the GLs side by side, along with a Boston(5’10” or so?). The proprietor was an accomplished pianist and played all of them as we requested. To me, the differences were striking. My preference of ALL, was the GL30. My wife said nothing. I was filled with despair but didn’t show it. My thoughts: if she didn’t think the world of that, then my wish is a lost cause. That store which had all those side by side was an hour and 3/4 from home. Not a word was spoken on the drive home. About 1/2 way, I had to speak. “You haven’t said anything. What did you think of it?” Her three word reply: “It was magnificent!” Me: “Why didn’t you say something?” Her, “I was afraid you’d buy it on the spot.” With tax , the GL30 was just under $26000 if I recall. Much more than the GL20. But, made in Japan and significantly larger. It shows in the bass. Different string types as well as length. HIHEST QUALITY PIANOS ARE MADE BY kawai, in Japan. But, the price difference is extraordinary. That $8000 difference is now a $10,000 difference. If you want it, well, the price ain’t going down - they hold their value. So, she wanted a new kitchen and bathroom counter tops, and more. We made a deal. I got my GL30, she got the counter tops. Mine was $$8000 more, hers was nearly $15000. (But we had a good year, we’re in our 70s and … who knows about tomorrow?) Then we upgraded the Kawai order and were lucky it was not yet shipped.After we got it, she began formal piano lessons. That must say something. I told you how my instructor marveled about it … and he’s a SS guy and world known. Paulhoffmann-music.com. You majored in performance, if I was you and could afford it, I’d get the best I could afford that would fit. My opinion, but I love this;,it is my passion. I only wish I had talent and didn’t have to work at it so hard. BTW , What city, state or country are you in? Try to do a side by side - you’ll see #he difference immediately. In my opinion, the GL-30 is the beginning of their good pianos. If I didn’t answer everything, keep asking. I wish there was a way to give you my contact information without the world getting it too. If I ever get a throw-away track phone, Ill let you know. I’m guessing you prefer playing classical. Is that right. I prefer classical, but I play a wide range. I even enjoy Fake Book music too. Talk soon, Ken
I find it strange that Kawai jumps from 5'5" for the GL30 to 5'11" for the GL40. Then it is 6'1" for the GL50 which is a decent increase. But GL10 is 5 feet and GL20 is 5'2". that's pretty close in size. I'm not convinced this is the same action that's in the GX and Shigeru series. The overall design may be the same but the regulation and preparation and voicing and all that goes into making the action to sound mechanism is not of the same level of refinement.
“For a beginner.” Makes me wonder, what beginner buys a grand piano? Must be really rich or nuts! I guess if you’re advanced and only have the budget and/or room for a GL-20 you must be wasting your money since it’s for beginners and intermediates. So, what piano does an advanced player get who has limited space? Sometimes one wonders ... oh, never mind!
Maybe someone just starting out wants a grand to also be a furniture piece. You can get a quality used baby grand for a lot less than a new one with about the same sound. I've owned an upright and a baby grand and I would never have an upright again. And I'm just an intermediate player. Just feels better sitting at a grand piano!
Hi. To name a few possible reasons for even a beginner to buy a grand piano: 1) enjoy the sound quality 2) admire the beauty of a grand 3) more flexible to place a grand than a upright (mainly behind a wall) 4) No need to upgrade from a upright / digital keyboard anymore 5) Looked more pro as visitors are more likely to touch or sit around a grand. 6) motivate to play it more often / practice more.
Kris, I couldn’t agree more! I am hard pressed to find a piano that sounds as good and feels as good. I have a CA-98 which is so top-of-the-line, I will never get rid of it. But, For an un-justifiable reason I want to get a grand. Our retirement home is on the smaller side - only 2200 sq ft. Climate controlled.But we re-configured the LR/Dr and a 5’2” baby grand fits nicely. I play, my wife only plays at it. I’m on the lower intermediate side, and if I live long enough I will be advanced. I tried many baby grand pianos, including SS. (I did not test anything over $50K (which is above my budget, but always try things a couple iterations above your budget. The best I found and the best values - by far - were the Kawai GL-20 and Kawai GL-30. The 30 is considerably more expensive and the 20 fits better. For our small house, I am sure the 20 is more than enough. I went place to place and settled on the GL-20. The BOSTON 156PEII was second. Good feel and sound but MUCH more expensive and certainly no better. Even if the price was the same, I would have gone with the KAwai because of the Millennium III action. After making my choice, I brought my wife to the dealer. Previously in her opinion, almost nothing could beat the CA98 (and you had to get expensive ... as in $70K + expensive. well, we played the CA99 and the GL and her comment was “Magnificent”. She doesn’t use that word. So if all goes well, I amy be able to order it. (We have a pact that for anything over a couple thousand dollars, we must both agree. But, I just want the world to know, before buying anything, check out the Kawai GL20 and GL30. You will be hard pressed to spend a heck of a lot more.
I can definitely hear a difference. Not super impressed with the GL-10 but the GL-20 and GL-30 resonate much more.
We bought a GL-30 in Sept of 2021. Our home won’t accommodate more than the GL-30 comfortably and practically. The price of the 30 over the 20 was quite significant. The living portion of our home is only 220- SF (including 3 bedrooms). Out LR and DR are open with a vaulted ceiling producing very good acoustics.
My wife agreed to the GL20. Months later I took her back to the showroom and she heard the GL-30 (I, of course, was trying to sell her on it.) To my massive disappointment, she said nothing. Dejected, we took the 75 minute drive home. Total quiet. About half way home I finally asked: “Well, what did you think?” She spoke three words: “It was magnificent!” Then, “Well, why didn’t you say something at the studio?” ‘Because I thought you might buy it.” A month passed and we negotiated, she got new counter tops in the kitchen and both bathrooms with all the accessories. Within a month of it being in our home, she began taking lessons! These are great pianos. The GL-w0 is worth the larger price difference.
Finding out in this video the GL 20 is made in Indonesia now for the U.S sad. Even more depression talking on the phone with the Kawai Piano Gallery by Almo Music rep in St Louis setting up an appointment to test this instrument he did not correct me when I said it was made in Japan, just went along with me. I may be canceling that appointment
Hi! Sorry to here that…I’ve passed your comment to the regional manager in that area to try and make it right with you…there’s a few new folks in stl and they may have just gotten confused…again, my apologies and we always try and make things right with folks if they’ll give us a chance to do so.
Could you tell me what songs Ted was playing? Beautiful music. As a beginner, I purchased a brand new GL10 four months ago and I absolutely love it. It’s a beautiful baby grand sitting in my living room. Thanks for sharing.
I believe it is an original song of his - let me ask him and get back with you!
Alamo Music Center - Pianos and Keyboards Ted’s arrangement of Flying by the Beatles.
@@tedbarsalou833 That was a great piece by Ted. Thanks for replying.
@@AmyiReport how much did you pay for the GL10? I’ve been playing 20 years and finally decided to get a baby grand instead of an upright. I was able to negotiate a brand new Kawai GL10 for $10,000 or a brand new GL20 for $12.000. How much did you pay?
@@gustavopaulette3496 I think the price was $10,500 for a brand-new and they were willing to give me a trade in value of my upright piano for $1,000. Total price I paid - $9,500.
GL10: 16:52
GL30: 16:06
Do you also play the piano, Unmesh? 😬
15:20
17:39 14:25
This has been very helpful
This was really informative. What microphone(s) did you use to record with?
The GL10 and GL20 sound the same to me but I could hear a difference with the sound of GL30.
I noticed a rounder focused tone on the 20, that extended to the 30, seems the string and board length start to make a difference. Still all 3 sound fantastic. I have a Kawai 42", it's no grand but it plays a beautiful mid-upper register. Can't wait to get a baby grand.
same for me
Well, so if I am an advanced player and only have room for a baby grand and an
GX 2 is too big. GX 1 is another $6000. The GL30 is magnificent in a 2200 sf home. If I was richer Id consider the GX but its a professional model and not really needed. Have you played and listened to the GL30. Its magnificent. In all respects, I like it better that the $50K Beckstein I played and examined. I think the GL 30 is a better piano. I cant afford a Mason/Hamlin which is the nicest at 5’5” or so.
I was going to get a GL20, (In the US the GL30 is substantially more expensive. These are much much less in Europe. (As usual, Americans are ripped off.) But I don’t compare the price/quality issue of the GL30 to the GL20. I compare the GL30 to the $30-$60K pianos. The value/quality ratio is fantastic. Thing is, I can’t comfortably get 5’7” in my home without MAJOR reshuffling - that just doesn’t flow well and gets un-pragmatic.
@@kenpeters9807 I tried a whole piano shop that consisted of steinways, yamahas, etc. and in my opinion the GL-20 beats many pianos worth much more. The touch and the sound is incredible. I did not look at the sticker price when I played it, but when I did I couldn't believe it. It was 14k. They also had a GL-10 which was 11k, but you can really feel and hear the difference on the GL-20 in person. The GL-20 is more resonant and warm, while the GL-10 is colder by comparison.
I would disregard the whole beginner, intermediate thing. What sounds good to you is dependent on you! and what works best for you is your space. I hope you get to try them all in person. They did not have a GL-30 to test, so I can't comment on that one vs the GL-20.
@@hoodiesss I negotiated a brand new GL10 for $10,000 and a brand new GL20 for $12,000. Don’t get ripped off
I haven't been able to find a comparison video on kawai's gl series vs. their gx series grand pianos. I think it would be interesting to be shown how much difference their is between the 'entry level' pianos and the 'standard level' models from the same manufacturer.
You have to hear them in person. If you have limited space, the GL30 is a great instrument, no matter your level. With a bigger budget, the GX Blac 1 is an upgrade, but in a small home (our whole home has 2200 finished SF) I don’t think that for a $7,500 difference, the sound would not be that noticeable. The touch is the same. Ive gad a well known pro play mine. He owns a 7’ SS. His only negative comment was that the touch was a bit heavy, but okay. He was very impressed with all aspects, including the bass, speed and recovery. He was surprised at the price (it was much much lower than he expected).
@@kenpeters9807 agreed. I’m an advanced pianist. My major in college was piano performance and I had a full ride scholarship to study piano performance. I started off on a cheap Casio keyboard and then a spinet piano. I was a piano performance Major my first year and was still using a cheap everet spinet piano. That didn’t stop me from advancing. Long story short. I stopped playing for a while after I graduated and last year I got inspired again and bought a brand new Kawai GL10. I love the Kawai so much I just put a deposit for a GL30 but I’m a little concerned as my condominium is only 900sq ft. Do you think the Kawai GL30 might be too much for a 900sqft condominium? Now that I’ve been playing on the Kawai GL10 baby grand for a year I would never want to go back to an upright.
@@gustavogo2915 Gustavo, I think you’ll be fine with the GL30. One thing is certain: you’ll love it! It has a very controllable touch to be able to play pianissimo in the later evenings. Only open the lid half way and put pictures on your walls. Carpet or a fig will reduce the volume. Our home and ceiling is well designed acoustically to really carry sound,but the pictures and carpeting do not distort the sound at all. Congrats on your decision.
@@gustavogo2915 P.S. The depth of the bass on the GL30 will REALLY surprise you. QUITE A DIFFERENCE!
@@gustavogo2915 I ordered mine (a GL20 at first - there was also a promo) around February two years ago. It arrived at the dealer in September. I had a CA-98 which is a phenomenal instrument with a grand-like feel. That was my baby and I hated to part with it - it brought me a long way. (BTW Kawai dealers frequently give a 15% discount if you push hard enough and don’t seem overly anxious. I wanted the GL30, but the price at the time was too much for her; but I convinced her for the GL20. (I found the difference between the 20 and 10 to be very significant.) We were able to get the GL20 for about $18000, with tax, out the door, in our home. I was willing to “settle” for it. (BTW, my wife and I have a pact that we both honor. Over $1,000, must get the other’s agreement. We each have the right of VETO, so I could have gone against her - with no fight. There is a risk to that; that is why neither of us ever used the VETO. FAST FORWARD.
I managed to get her to come with me to a piano store that had the GLs side by side, along with a Boston(5’10” or so?). The proprietor was an accomplished pianist and played all of them as we requested. To me, the differences were striking. My preference of ALL, was the GL30. My wife said nothing. I was filled with despair but didn’t show it. My thoughts: if she didn’t think the world of that, then my wish is a lost cause. That store which had all those side by side was an hour and 3/4 from home. Not a word was spoken on the drive home. About 1/2 way, I had to speak. “You haven’t said anything. What did you think of it?” Her three word reply: “It was magnificent!” Me: “Why didn’t you say something?” Her, “I was afraid you’d buy it on the spot.” With tax , the GL30 was just under $26000 if I recall. Much more than the GL20. But, made in Japan and significantly larger. It shows in the bass. Different string types as well as length. HIHEST QUALITY PIANOS ARE MADE BY kawai, in Japan. But, the price difference is extraordinary. That $8000 difference is now a $10,000 difference. If you want it, well, the price ain’t going down - they hold their value.
So, she wanted a new kitchen and bathroom counter tops, and more. We made a deal. I got my GL30, she got the counter tops. Mine was $$8000 more, hers was nearly $15000. (But we had a good year, we’re in our 70s and … who knows about tomorrow?) Then we upgraded the Kawai order and were lucky it was not yet shipped.After we got it, she began formal piano lessons. That must say something.
I told you how my instructor marveled about it … and he’s a SS guy and world known. Paulhoffmann-music.com.
You majored in performance, if I was you and could afford it, I’d get the best I could afford that would fit. My opinion, but I love this;,it is my passion. I only wish I had talent and didn’t have to work at it so hard. BTW , What city, state or country are you in? Try to do a side by side - you’ll see #he difference immediately.
In my opinion, the GL-30 is the beginning of their good pianos. If I didn’t answer everything, keep asking. I wish there was a way to give you my contact information without the world getting it too. If I ever get a throw-away track phone, Ill let you know.
I’m guessing you prefer playing classical. Is that right.
I prefer classical, but I play a wide range. I even enjoy Fake Book music too.
Talk soon,
Ken
I find it strange that Kawai jumps from 5'5" for the GL30 to 5'11" for the GL40. Then it is 6'1" for the GL50 which is a decent increase. But GL10 is 5 feet and GL20 is 5'2". that's pretty close in size. I'm not convinced this is the same action that's in the GX and Shigeru series. The overall design may be the same but the regulation and preparation and voicing and all that goes into making the action to sound mechanism is not of the same level of refinement.
No one cares what you think you old clown 🤡
Im convinced you’re a clown @Benjamin Smith
Me too. I'd been interested in a 5'7/5'8"
14:25
17:40
“For a beginner.” Makes me wonder, what beginner buys a grand piano? Must be really rich or nuts! I guess if you’re advanced and only have the budget and/or room for a GL-20 you must be wasting your money since it’s for beginners and intermediates. So, what piano does an advanced player get who has limited space? Sometimes one wonders ... oh, never mind!
Maybe someone just starting out wants a grand to also be a furniture piece. You can get a quality used baby grand for a lot less than a new one with about the same sound. I've owned an upright and a baby grand and I would never have an upright again. And I'm just an intermediate player. Just feels better sitting at a grand piano!
Hi. To name a few possible reasons for even a beginner to buy a grand piano:
1) enjoy the sound quality
2) admire the beauty of a grand
3) more flexible to place a grand than a upright (mainly behind a wall)
4) No need to upgrade from a upright / digital keyboard anymore
5) Looked more pro as visitors are more likely to touch or sit around a grand.
6) motivate to play it more often / practice more.
Jovan Chan : I agree with all your reasons. But I am still keeping my CA98. Good for many reasons including playing at night.
@@kenpeters9807 yes pls. I know many acoustic player have DP too~
Jovan Chan Good points Jovan.! Thanks for commenting.
Kawai products are premium products on piano, unfotunetly other brands begin to shift this brand.
Kris, I couldn’t agree more! I am hard pressed to find a piano that sounds as good and feels as good. I have a CA-98 which is so top-of-the-line, I will never get rid of it. But, For an un-justifiable reason I want to get a grand. Our retirement home is on the smaller side - only 2200 sq ft. Climate controlled.But we re-configured the LR/Dr and a 5’2” baby grand fits nicely. I play, my wife only plays at it. I’m on the lower intermediate side, and if I live long enough I will be advanced. I tried many baby grand pianos, including SS. (I did not test anything over $50K (which is above my budget, but always try things a couple iterations above your budget. The best I found and the best values - by far - were the Kawai GL-20 and Kawai GL-30. The 30 is considerably more expensive and the 20 fits better. For our small house, I am sure the 20 is more than enough. I went place to place and settled on the GL-20. The BOSTON 156PEII was second. Good feel and sound but MUCH more expensive and certainly no better. Even if the price was the same, I would have gone with the KAwai because of the Millennium III action. After making my choice, I brought my wife to the dealer. Previously in her opinion, almost nothing could beat the CA98 (and you had to get expensive ... as in $70K + expensive. well, we played the CA99 and the GL and her comment was “Magnificent”. She doesn’t use that word. So if all goes well, I amy be able to order it. (We have a pact that for anything over a couple thousand dollars, we must both agree. But, I just want the world to know, before buying anything, check out the Kawai GL20 and GL30. You will be hard pressed to spend a heck of a lot more.
@@kenpeters9807 Ken, if you're reading this, please let me know if yo got the GL20.
@@markaarons9918 he’s a clown that probably doesn’t even have a cheap keyboard