Hey Y'All.

I've been shopping and hemming and hawing for a while now and I've reached the basement room that houses the panel with two buttons and I'm going to push one of them. Button 1 is an SK2 from a nearby dealer. It's been on the floor for a couple of years but I didn't notice any defects or damage. Button 2 is an SK3 is from a dealer farther from me and it's still in the crate from Japan. The SK3 will cost me $7000 more. I'm retired so I'm thinking this is my last major piano purchase. The only difference I've noticed between this SK2 that I've met in person and the SK3 next to it (that is NOT the one I would be buying) is the very slightly better bass, especially the bottom 3 notes that are seldom used. I'm really struggling with this decision. If it was a $10000 difference I'd probably go for the SK2. If it was a $4000 difference I'd probably go for the SK3 and in either of those cases would NOT be posting. It's not so much that the money is the main factor. With me it's always VALUE and bang for the buck and logic. I'm posting because I feel like $7000 is a lot to pay for an extra 3 or 4 inches (hold the innuendo jokes please!) and at my skill level and how much use this will see, the SK2 is way more than enough. On the other hand I feel a little FOMO for the next model up deal!

What do you think and please think of it like you can afford either but like to get the best VALUE. You should know my playing doesn't warrant either of these fine instruments and they are way overkill for me. I could probably do just as well and not even notice much of a difference from either of these to a basic Kawai or Yamaha model around the same size. Resale is always a concern for me too but like I said above, I probably won't be selling this.

    For a piano of this caliber and price point, the concept of "value" becomes wholly yours, and won't have smooth/clean ways to compare with something else from a "value" standpoint.

    As someone who's spent quite a lot on several acoustic pianos (including an SK-2), my best advice is to make whatever purchase, and be content with it. And no regrets. Appreciate your instrument.

    If you get the SK-2, focusing more on the amazing creamy tones, and that you got it at a very nice price; if you get the SK-3, it's also a very nice price, and that the "$7K was totally worth it."

    Whatever the case may be, do not look back with any regret. You ultimately have the agency to tell yourself whatever narrative you wish to tell yourself.

    Case in point, if I didn't buy my second piano (concert grand, 9' has tons of bass etc), then it's easy to go "but what if?" and keep desiring what I don't have. Now that I have it, I could very easily say, "I wasted my money, it could've gone to [fill in the blank].

    I was content with "just the SK-2" and I am content now with the SK-2 and 280VC. Despite the cost. Yes, it was a "great value" in my own little world, despite the hefty price tag.

    Tuner You should know my playing doesn't warrant either of these fine instruments and they are way overkill for me.

    If you know how to press a key on a piano, then your playing warrants the SK-2 and SK-3.

    Sincerely,
    A person who can't even read music, who doesn't care whether people think his playing doesn't warrant his fine instruments 🙂

      I am a person that loves to feel like I got the best value - deepest percent discount, lowest price per unit, etc. This is great when it comes to buying toilet rolls or cans of beans, but it has not always served me well when it comes to things I need to really enjoy. A few years ago I put this feeling to bed when I purchased a car that cost $10k more than a more common but more boring model that had nominally the same function. I do not regret my choice. It is the same with pianos. When looking to buy a new, quality upright I looked at many pianos. I honed in on an August Forster 116. I tried the 125. On paper it is a better choice, but the models I played did not speak to me in the same way as the piano I chose. I do not regret my choice. All this to say, which of the two instruments put the biggest smile on your face?

      Congrats! What a wonderful choice and opportunity you have ahead of you! 🙂

      I've bought all my pianos new from the crate, even though that goes against common wisdom. I did playtest my most recent one before finalizing my choice though. I also happened to get a deal that I was very happy with.

      So I think you can do both with a bit a work!

      When are you planning to visit the second dealer to try out the SK3? It's not a given that you will like it, but I think chances are good.

      I also think the dealer may well be inclined to give you that $3000 discount to help you make up your mind. Faced with a choice of an extra $3000 discount vs keeping the piano on the floor for 2 years, I think that's a no brainer for the dealer.

      Try negotiating the price up front but don't sign away your chance to playtest the piano before finalizing the deal. Let them do the prep and tuning. You may end up with the best of both worlds!

      I'm also quite the penny pincher from my student days. PianoTell runs for the cost of a cup of Matcha Latte a month. On the other hand, I don't regret one single bit all the money I've poured into pianos and piano related stuff. It's an absolute joy for me.

      Even if you don't get the full discount, and you still love the SK3, I think you should still go for it!

      Either way, I would love to hear how it goes! Have fun. 🙂

      --
      Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
      TIME

      I've heard of several people who liked the SK2 better than the SK3. I have only tried an SK2 of these two models and found it to be lovely. I would not purchase a piano that I haven't tried in person, so unless you're making this decision after trying the SK3 and liking it more, I'd go for the SK2.

      Unless I'm mistaken, you have been able to try the very SK2 that you would purchase, whereas the specific SK3 you might purchase is still in a crate somewhere. Given the (sometimes significant) difference between individual pianos of the same model, my vote would be with the "bird in hand".

        pseudonym58 Given the (sometimes significant) difference between individual pianos of the same model, my vote would be with the "bird in hand".

        In this video, she is selecting a new Steinway Model B, out of 5 contenders. I think pseudonym58 made a fair point, if you are considering to choose between 2 different models, and one you have played only one of them. To be fair, if the sound of that specific SK2 is something you didn't like at all, you can go for the unknown one.
        It is gambling, then. Like you rolled a dice and it shows a 2, then you are asked if you are willing to roll the dice again and hope for a bigger number.

          Thanks for all of the opinions and advice. While I'm leaning toward the SK3, life might once again get in the way. We thought we would be in our current house for the next 2 to 5 years but the situation changed and we might be moving this spring. It's a cross country move and even with rising prices, it's probably prudent to hold off for now. The situation is fluid though and I might post tomorrow saying one is on the way, who knows!

          As for my original question, I owned a 1922 Steinway M for 26 years. The main reason I sold it was to get a 6 foot (or larger) piano. The SK2 is a 5'10" design in a case they extended at some point in the past so that plays a part in my wanting the SK3 more. Also, during my research I found many people who only owned their SK2 and SK3 for a short time before upgrading to an SK6 or SK7. I even saw some SK5 owners upgrading. While I doubt I would ever find the SK3 too small, going into it with an SK2, that starts life with me compromising on the size, might not be the best idea. Yes, I know the SK2 bests many over other 6 foot pianos but the Steinway M enjoys the same reputation of sounding larger than it is (at least the era that I owned) and yet I still wanted more.

            Tuner going into it with an SK2, that starts life with me compromising on the size, might not be the best idea.

            Fair point there. Given that, is SK-6, SK-7 out of the question (since it sounded like your budget had a bit of wiggle)?

            I think it’s important to be satisfied regardless (regardless of which SK, which are all excellent from experience).

              11 days later

              Well, I would suggest that until you play the SK-3 in question, you don't know if you'll like it. Voicing and regulation sure have a lot to do with the tone of a piano, but sometimes there are inherent qualities in certain individual instruments that are just part of the tone.

              The Kawai "2" model, going from the KG-2 to the RX-2, the GX-2 and the SK-2 has always been their 'go-to' domestic size and lots of pianists and teachers love them. Sometimes the "3" model isn't that much better, and some people don't find it better enough to justify the cost difference.

              For me it would come down to the individual instrument and not the model designation.

              @Tuner didnyou figure out if you have to move or not?

              The SK2 should be very sellable (bc of its size and quality), so one thing you could do is buy that and then if you don’t want to move it cross country, sell it before the move.

              Another consideration (if you’re not moving) is the size of the piano room.

              Nothing is set in stone. I'm waiting for details on the SK3 from the seller. I am leaning towards the SK3 mostly because the main reason I sold my Steinway M, that I owned for 26 years, was to get a six footer.

              My current house can easily fit a 7 footer so no issue there but I would prefer to either wait until after the move OR move with it rather than buy it only to sell it then have to go through buying all over again!

                Tuner I would prefer to either wait until after the move OR move with it rather than buy it only to sell it then have to go through buying all over again!

                That make sense.

                You mentioned cross-country. How far? I recently moved across several states, about 13 hours I think.

                Rather than move my Yamaha C2 with the rest of our stuff, I had my piano moved by Modern Piano Moving, it was less that $2000. I wrote a review that's on this site somewhere.

                Anyway, my point is, it was easy and much less expensive than I feared, and my piano arrived safely.

                So if you like this SK3, don't let the possibility of moving deter you.

                  ShiroKuro

                  Thanks for the info, I'll save that. It's 1850 miles by roads to the most likely location we're considering.

                    @Tuner ok I checked, my trip wasn’t that far. So yours would probably be a little more expensive. But still, definitely do-able.

                    Tuner,
                    here is a place you can play both SK2 and SK3 right next to each other.
                    these pianos just came in from Kawai a few weeks ago.
                    for the amount you are considering spending it could be worth making a trip?
                    Not sure where you live or where you are moving to but this is Western North Carolina in Hendersonville!

                    I played both the Sk3 & Sk2 and I actually in this instance liked the SK2 more.

                    https://freeburgpianos.com/shigeru-kawai-collection/
                    brdwyguy

                    Tuner I am leaning towards the SK3 mostly because the main reason I sold my Steinway M, that I owned for 26 years, was to get a six footer.

                    Hmmm. This recent statement of yours says the SK-3 is going to make you happier. But what about a Steinway "A"? I love the Shigeru-Kawai sound, but it is very different from your Steinway "M". An "A" sounds like a Steinway with better bass than your "M". Those extra few inches DO make a difference in the overall tonal quality to my ears. Brdwyguy - isn't yours an "A"?

                        Seeker

                        I would love a Steinway A but since I'm only shopping new, that more than doubles the price and as I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm not and advanced player and the amount of time and work I have to do to learn a new piece seems ridiculous to me. Even being retired and having tons more time to practice doesn't seem to be getting me to the next level. If I was able to retain pieces after learning them (read 'memorizing,' which is all I seem to be able to do) and not have to keep playing them often to maintain proficiency in each individual piece, then maybe I'd go crazy.

                        If you're referring to a used Steinway then no, I'm only shopping new. I would take a used one if it was rebuilt by a well respected and competent shop with new everything (action, soundboard and pinblock for sure). The ones I've looked at have been priced at or above all of the new painos on my list.