Don't mind me, just sitting here watching an instrument I can't afford and that even if I could, would have to buy a mansion to even have a place to fit it, which I also can't afford.
I’m a piano technician for a church in Houston that owns a Shigeru EX. Hands down the best piano I work on! I’ve worked on other brand’s flagship 9 foots and you just don’t feel/hear the luxury like you do in an EX. Maybe the Fazioli 278 is a very close second with their exotic finishes and tone colors. That piano is also so versatile with tone color and perfect for the range of music they play - contemporary to full orchestra works. I play trumpet in the orchestra as well. Btw, probably one of the heaviest lids out there!
I wouldn't call the SK-EX affordable. It's priced similar to other concert grands in Tier 1 and about twice the cost of the next size down, the SK-7. The real savings comes from the smaller 6' and 7' Shigeru models (SK-2 to SK-7) where they're priced much lower than the competition but offer all the qualities of a Shigeru.
I can attest to the Shigeru Kawai magic. I own an SK-2 (the 5'11") and a Bösendorfer concert grand piano. While the latter has a longer-standing brand recognition (dating back to 1828), I like the two equally play my SK-2 and Bösendorfer about equal amount of the time. If I were to get a second concert grand (i.e., 9+ foot piano), SK-EX would be in serious contention for me. Shigeru Kawai's sound, to me, is parallel with the foremost brands in pianos today, including C. Bechstein's Concert Series, and Bösendorfer, and Fazioli. And is undoubtedly a level above that popular brand that starts with an S. Here's a video below, of a concert pianist demonstrating the full palette of the instrument (SK-EX). Enjoy. th-cam.com/video/WCqlYvjv8x4/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=KAWAIEurope
Hello Mr. Barsalou, I have just listened to your Video and it was such a pleasure! A lot of Information, but together with your passion … I just loved it. Also wenn I watched various Videos from You on Kawai vs Yamaha as we searched for a grand piano for our daughter which is becoming pretty good piano player. Thank you for that! Finally our daughter decided for Kawai GL-10 Anytime (better playing feeling than k500 and nicer sound than Yamaha grand piano). I will certainly hear this episode one more time. I find the music you play very nice, too. Is that from you or a certain composer? Have a nice day!
Love these pianos, although it seems odd they wouldn’t incorporate composite hammer shanks on the M-III actions. The Wessell Nickel & Gross actions in Mason & Hamlins have used this to increase rigidity, uniformity and longevity of the shanks. Such a minor quibble though. Where is this SK-EX located? Might have to make a trip!
Don't mind me, just sitting here watching an instrument I can't afford and that even if I could, would have to buy a mansion to even have a place to fit it, which I also can't afford.
I’m a piano technician for a church in Houston that owns a Shigeru EX. Hands down the best piano I work on! I’ve worked on other brand’s flagship 9 foots and you just don’t feel/hear the luxury like you do in an EX. Maybe the Fazioli 278 is a very close second with their exotic finishes and tone colors.
That piano is also so versatile with tone color and perfect for the range of music they play - contemporary to full orchestra works. I play trumpet in the orchestra as well.
Btw, probably one of the heaviest lids out there!
What is your opinion on the Yamaha CFX?🎹🎶
how is it to pratice on a piano that is so big isnt it to loud?
You are absolutely correct! One doesn't simply practice on a SK-EX, you rehears performances!!@@BFHPET
I wouldn't call the SK-EX affordable. It's priced similar to other concert grands in Tier 1 and about twice the cost of the next size down, the SK-7. The real savings comes from the smaller 6' and 7' Shigeru models (SK-2 to SK-7) where they're priced much lower than the competition but offer all the qualities of a Shigeru.
“It’s the best piano in the world….. There are better…..”
I can attest to the Shigeru Kawai magic. I own an SK-2 (the 5'11") and a Bösendorfer concert grand piano. While the latter has a longer-standing brand recognition (dating back to 1828), I like the two equally play my SK-2 and Bösendorfer about equal amount of the time. If I were to get a second concert grand (i.e., 9+ foot piano), SK-EX would be in serious contention for me.
Shigeru Kawai's sound, to me, is parallel with the foremost brands in pianos today, including C. Bechstein's Concert Series, and Bösendorfer, and Fazioli. And is undoubtedly a level above that popular brand that starts with an S.
Here's a video below, of a concert pianist demonstrating the full palette of the instrument (SK-EX). Enjoy.
th-cam.com/video/WCqlYvjv8x4/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=KAWAIEurope
Exceptional instrument. It's sound is being constrained due to close placement to the walls
Hello Mr. Barsalou, I have just listened to your Video and it was such a pleasure! A lot of Information, but together with your passion … I just loved it. Also wenn I watched various Videos from You on Kawai vs Yamaha as we searched for a grand piano for our daughter which is becoming pretty good piano player. Thank you for that! Finally our daughter decided for Kawai GL-10 Anytime (better playing feeling than k500 and nicer sound than Yamaha grand piano). I will certainly hear this episode one more time. I find the music you play very nice, too. Is that from you or a certain composer? Have a nice day!
Glad you found the video useful, thanks for your kind words.
Thanks for making us dream ....
I can't afford any piano, but can we all give a shout out to the guy who designed the logo for this company???
How I wish I could play the SK EX one day 😭😭!!
Go to Kawai showroom
I played a SK3 6' Shigeru and a Yamaha C7 7'6" back to back and the smaller Shigeru was better in every way.
Love these pianos, although it seems odd they wouldn’t incorporate composite hammer shanks on the M-III actions. The Wessell Nickel & Gross actions in Mason & Hamlins have used this to increase rigidity, uniformity and longevity of the shanks.
Such a minor quibble though. Where is this SK-EX located? Might have to make a trip!
Kawai believes the composite hammer shanks give a different tone to the piano and they prefer the sound that wooden shanks create.