Down to the wire - SK2 or SK3
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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"?
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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.
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Seeker Yes it's an A II from 1912 - it was completely rebuilt in 1996 and refurbished in 2020.
I have to say, I have played new A's and rebuilt A's and the tone on my Amalia it turns out, is quite special.
As my tech and I said, every once in awhile a Steinway gets built that is a little more special than most Steinway's.
It turns out my Amalia is one of those.
The funny part was when I decided to buy/upgrade to a high-end piano - in my head was, not a Steinway because all the
Steinway's I've played were in institutions and were, as I realize now, in terrible shape! So i was apprehensive about plopping down so much money, even on a pre-owned one. Luckily, I have to say - I believe I hit the jackpot on this particular A II.
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ShiroKuro It was done just before I purchased it in 2021. It's why the piano looked brand new.
I did some changes: I changed the Bass Strings to Hellerbass with Paulello center wiring. and alot of voicing to and regulation to get the piano where I personally wanted it. Very light touch and the Upper Register with a clear bell like quality. A rich velvety middle register and a full bass sound.
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That’s great!
My mother has a 6'4" 1924 Steinway A in her Manhattan apartment that is in serious need of a restoration. Soundboard is OK, but new action and pin block, etc. are a necessity, as well as a case refinishing. I would have been interested, except that the work would cost too much money, and you never really know what you get. I'm afraid we'll just have to sell it for very little to someone who can restore it, as my mother is just about 90, and doesn't play anymore.
pseudonym58 So sad to hear such stories about people becoming too old to play any longer.
I have a great niece and great nephew that I will be giving my piano to when I can't play any longer. Both are still very very young but have already shown interest in playing.
Good Luck pseudonym58
as a side note - I would contact Faust Harrison in NYC - they are considered one of country's best Steinway restorer's.
I think they are on 57th or 58th near Carnegie Hall.
brdwyguy
brdwyguy Thanks for the suggestion. I will give them a call.
also, that sounds like a Model A III which are pretty rare and were not made for a long period of time at Steinway.
the A III - was 6' 4" and are considered very very good pianos, when they are in good shape.
brdwyguy
Mr. Fleetwood is spot on. Until you play the SK-3 in question, there is no decision to make.
Tuner the main reason I sold my Steinway M, that I owned for 26 years, was to get a six footer.
If you are used to and enjoy the Steinway sound, upgrading to a rebuilt larger Steinway might be a good option to consider.
brdwyguy also, that sounds like a Model A III which are pretty rare and were not made for a long period of time at Steinway.
the A III - was 6' 4" and are considered very very good pianos, when they are in good shape.
brdwyguy
I’m a happy owner of a rebuilt model A3 that I love! This video shows nicely the sound quality of a well rebuilt A3 (not mine 
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I would love a rebuilt A but the shops that do it right charge a lot, even more than the SK2 (and probably even the SK3) will end up costing me. That's at least the ones I've run into so far. The other issue is I do not like satin black and if it's polished ebony, it's not (and doesn't even look) authentic. It would have to be a wood finished one (which I would prefer) but now were talking even more rare and more $$$.
@Tuner My mother (90) just sold her 1924 Steinway A (6'4") to Faust Harrison in NYC for rebuilding. I have no idea when they plan to start working on it, or when it eventually will be available for sale. It was a beautiful instrument in the late 20th century but after decades of deferred maintenance, it needs some serious work.
pseudonym58 pseudonym, you did it! Sounds like Faust-Harrison jumped on that piano 
when I realized it was an A III i figured they would.
Did you sell it outright or are they doing the rebuild work for you?
I will have to keep an eye on their website for a rebuilt S&S A III now!
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My mother, 90, has severe rheumatoid arthritis, and doesn't play very much anymore. The piano has been sold outright as is, and they will rebuild it into something nice, I hope. In the meantime, we got her a Roland digital piano which sort of looks like a small spinet in a furniture-like cabinet. She does like playing on that, to the extent that she can, and it frees up a tremendous amount of room in her small NYC apartment.
pseudonym58
Faust-Harrison is probably one of the Top Steinway piano rebuilders in the country. They have to be to compete with the actual Steinway Factory in Astoria. I'm sure that piano is going to look and sound incredible when they get done with it.
You sold it to a good company who cares extremely well for Steinway's.
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