Sometimes, the best role for an instrument is evident from the start. The GL-50 conservatory grand piano has found its highest calling within musical institutions, where its versatile size is a perfect fit for teaching studios and smaller recital spaces. At 6 feet 2 inches, it offers abundant tonal quality and bass resonance perfect for professional teaching applications. The GL-50 has all the features that earned the GL Series the "Product of the Year" award from the global music industry magazine MMR in 2016, including the revolutionary Millennium III Action with ABS-Carbon parts that promise unmatched touch and control consistency over time. And, like the GL-40, the GL-50 is equipped with the CORE system that maximizes the reflective capabilities of the inner frame for greater tonal resonance and power. Play on the GL-50 and discover the flagship of the award-winning GL Series.
Touch
Millennium III Upright Action
Millennium III Upright Action features components made of ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by the infusion of carbon fibre into our renowned ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly sturdy and rigid, which allows the creation of action parts that are lighter without sacrificing strength. The result is a stronger, faster action that offers more power, better control and greater stability than conventional all-wood actions.
THE POWER OF THE PIANISSIMO
One of the most coveted attributes of a quality piano is a wide dynamic range: the ability to play not only thunderous fortissimos but also the most delicate and sensitive pianissimos. The technological superiority of the Millennium III action becomes most evident in its extraordinary ability to produce the perfect pianissimo. It may seem paradoxical, but the GL series technology shines brightest when it whispers.
FONDATIONS RIGIDES POUR LE MOVEMENT DE TOUCHE
The keyframe rail is the central hub of a piano's operation. The keyframe rails in the GL series are made of durable extruded aluminum and combined with our advanced dual-beam technique, providing strength and stability. The hammer and jack rails are securely held in place to maintain the precise tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch throughout the piano's lifespan. The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely serrated to securely hold each hammer shank in place for optimal alignment. The hammer shanks are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tightly secured without contraction or expansion. These meticulously designed features form the rigid foundations of the GL series, ensuring the precise motion of the keys over time.Carbon ABS is much stronger and more durable than wood, virtually impervious to the effects of humidity-related contraction and expansion. This unique combination of strength and stability allows the action components to transfer energy to the hammers with unmatched efficiency, power, precision, and nuance, delivering an exceptional playing experience.
Tone
TABLE D’HARMONIE EFFILÉE EN ÉPICÉA MASSIF
The soundboard is the heart of a piano, responsible for transforming the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich and vibrant tone. Kawai uses only straight-grained solid spruce, quarter-sawn, for the soundboards of the GL series. Each soundboard is carefully tapered to optimize its sound-producing capabilities. Only soundboards that meet or exceed our strict quality requirements are selected to be installed in our GL series grand pianos.
TONALITY
Kawai grand pianos are renowned for their expressive tonality and expansive dynamic range, enabling pianists to effortlessly share and communicate their passion.
Duplex scale
ÉCHELLE DUPLEX SCALE
The duplex scaling system of the instrument provides harmonics in the mid and high range, thereby adding depth and breadth to the overall tonality.
AGRAFFES
Les agrafes assurent une précision dans l’alignement des cordes, l’espacement les angles pour et permettent de produire une tonalité plus uniforme et une longueur vibrante de chaque note constante.
HARDWOOD BRIDGES
The bridges transfer the vibration of the strings to the soundboard. The bridges in the GL series are made of solid maple or beech and are carefully adjusted and fitted to the frame for perfect string pressure and optimal sound transfer.
‘SOLID’ (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design)
The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the string tension. Firstly, the soundboard is mounted onto the frame. Then, the soundboard and the belly rail are integrated into a unique structure firmly anchored to the rim. The extraordinary thickness of the belly rail showcases the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.
LE SYSTÈME C.O.R.E
"CORE" is an acronym that stands for "Convergence for Optimum Reflected Energy." Convergence refers to how the points of strength, including the rim, frame, and soundboard, all come together towards a central point at the core of the instrument. This convergence creates the foundation for an extremely powerful "CORE" central core that maximizes the sound reflection capabilities of the inner rim, resulting in exceptional sound quality.
SOLID (STRETCHER OVER-LAP INTEGRATED DESIGN)
The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the string tension. Firstly, the soundboard is mounted onto the frame. Then, the soundboard and the belly rail are integrated into a unique structure firmly anchored to the rim. The extraordinary thickness of the belly rail showcases the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.
LONGUEUR DE TOUCHE ALLONGÉE
Longer keys make playing easier and provide more even response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits to the player are greater control and more power with less effort.
SLOW-CLOSE LID MECHANISM
Our slow-close lid mechanism incorporates a dual-damping system that protects fingers and the keyboard from potential damage caused by a sudden closure.
THE KEYBOARD TRAY WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT.
The keyboard tray must be strong and stable to support the weight of the entire action over time. The keyboard trays in the GL series are made of extremely durable hardwoods, laminated and reinforced with a steel support beam that enhances the strength and rigidity of the keyboard tray to prevent energy loss.
Cadre V-pro
V-PRO FRAME
The frame is the acoustically neutral metal superstructure on which the strings are tensioned. All frames in the GL series are cast using the V-Pro process. The additional strength comes from the new frame design. The result is a highly robust, stable, and elegant frame.
SMALL DOOR WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT
The "small door" of a piano is the long horizontal piece of wood that borders the front of the keys. Because it is made of wood, this piece can warp or bend with changes in humidity, causing the keys to become stuck. The small doors of the GL series are reinforced with a steel rod that prevents these deformations. The keys move freely, while the small door remains straight and at a consistent distance from the keys throughout the life of the piano.
SOMMIER ET CHEVILLES D’ACCORD
The pinblock on all GL series grand pianos is fully laminated with a minimum of eleven cross-banded layers of North American hard rock maple for maximum strength and balanced torque. The tuning pins are made from the finest carbon steel, threaded for maximum continuous rotation, and nickel-plated for enhanced appearance and long-term protection.
RESISTANCE
Durability enables a piano to maintain its integrity over time. The GL series pianos feature remarkable durability to thrive under the rigors of long-term use.
Specifications
Weight & dimensions
