Kawai ST-1

Designed to withstand the test of time

When people choose a piano for their home, the main criteria are touch, sound and stability. They're looking for a piano that produces beautiful sounds, plays smoothly and retains these qualities consistently over the years. However, in institutional environments, priorities change. Sound and touch remain essential, of course. But when a piano is played 8 to 12 hours a day, stability and durability become the primary concern. An institutional piano must maintain a satisfactory level of touch and sound over years of intensive use and frequent movement.

To achieve this, both the internal action and the external cabinet are designed with a single objective: to stand the test of time. Kawai's institutional upright pianos offer the same excellent sound and feel that piano buyers have trusted in Kawai instruments for over 90 years. Nevertheless, by using state-of-the-art composite components in action and applying intelligent structural design to the cabinet, Kawai's institutional pianos stand out in their own class.

Weight & dimensions

The grand-piano-style music rack with a robust finish

The grand piano-style music stand with sturdy finish is an exquisite and functional addition to grand piano design. Made from high-end materials, it exudes elegance while providing solid support for scores during performances. Adjustable to accommodate a variety of score sizes, this parchment holder offers pianists comfort and flexibility, making it a refined and practical enhancement to the grand piano experience.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Extended Key Length

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Full Duplex Scale

The "Full Duplex Scale", which encompasses both the upper and lower sections, is a remarkable feature that enhances harmonics in the treble range, adding captivating brilliance and rich sonority to the piano's tone. This innovative technology involves meticulous calculations and precise positioning of the strings to optimize their interaction with the vibrating main part of the strings, allowing specific harmonics to resonate freely and enhancing the instrument's sonic complexity. As a result, the piano's high notes are imbued with a vibrant, sparkling quality, captivating listeners with their expressive, dynamic character. The "Full Duplex Scale" opens up a world of sonic possibilities, enabling pianists to explore and create music with an instrument truly incomparable in its beauty and versatility.

Sostenuto pedals

The middle pedal is the sostenuto, as on a grand piano; the celestial/practical rail is operated by a lever under the low end of the keyboard. When depressed, it holds only the notes played at that moment, allowing subsequent notes to be played without sustain. This feature proves useful in complex musical passages where certain notes need to be held while others are played with different dynamics. By selectively sustaining certain notes, the sostenuto pedal enables pianists to create a nuanced, controlled sound, offering a wide range of expression and articulation in their performances. Its presence is an invaluable tool for pianists seeking to elevate their musical interpretations and enrich their playing experience.

The agraffes

Staples play an essential role in ensuring precision in the alignment, spacing and angles of the strings in a piano, leading to greater uniformity, improved tone, smoother tuning and a consistent "speaking length" for each note. These small but important metal pieces are strategically placed along the piano's soundboard to hold the strings in position and ensure their correct alignment. By holding the strings firmly in place, the clips prevent any unwanted vibration or sympathetic resonance that might disrupt the piano's overall clarity and tonal balance. What's more, staples contribute to smoother, more precise tuning, as they help stabilize string tension and maintain their proper spacing. As a result, pianists can enjoy a more balanced, harmonious sound across the entire keyboard, enabling greater precision and expression in their musical interpretations.

Weight & dimensions

The GL-30 grand piano will surprise you. Its 5'5" frame is smaller than a traditional "grand piano". But the GL-30 is built to exceed expectations. A treasured model in the renowned GL grand piano series (which was named "Product of the Year" by the world music industry's MMR magazine in 2016), the GL-30 is a high-quality instrument with a superb range of tonal expressiveness. It features the revolutionary Millennium III Tail Piano Action with carbon-fiber composites that offer the player a sensitive, consistent touch year after year. In a flexible size that adapts admirably to a wide range of performance spaces, the GL-30 will outperform any comparable grand piano.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and 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.

RIGID FOUNDATIONS FOR THE TOUCH MOVEMENT

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

TAPERED SOUNDBOARD IN SOLID SPRUCE

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

DUPLEX SCALE SCALE

The instrument's duplex scale system provides harmonics in the midrange and treble, adding depth and breadth to the overall sound.

AGRAFFES

The staples ensure precision in string alignment, spacing and angles to produce a more uniform tone and consistent vibratory length of each note.

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 tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE C.O.R.E. SYSTEM

"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 tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

EXTENDED FINGERBOARD LENGTH

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better 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 in order to support the weight of the entire mechanics over time. GL Series keyboard trays are made from extremely robust hardwoods, laminated and reinforced with a steel support spar that increases the strength and rigidity of the keyboard tray to prevent any loss of energy.

V-pro frame

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 'little door' of a piano is that long horizontal piece of wood bordering the front of the notes. Because it's made of wood, this part can twist or bend with changes in humidity, causing the keys to jam. The 'small doors' of the GL series are reinforced by a steel rod that prevents these deformations. The keys move freely, with the 'small door' remaining straight and at a regular distance from the keys throughout the piano's life.

WINDCHEST AND TUNING PEGS

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

Strength enables a piano to maintain its integrity over time. GL Series pianos have the remarkable strength to thrive under the rigors of long-term use.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

Discover the next revolution in acoustic piano resonance. AURES AR2 upright and grand piano instruments combine specially developed acoustic mute features with leading digital technologies and an advanced soundboard speaker system. Pianists can enjoy the pleasure of playing a traditional acoustic piano, while taking advantage of selectable instrument sounds, Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable sound level control.

Specifications of the AURES models

■ Based on professional Kawai upright/grand acoustic pianos
■ Advanced acoustic muting systems for silent play
■ Unique soundboard loudspeaker system developed with MPAs amplifiers
■ High-level multi-channel digital piano sound with SK-EX Rendering
■ Flexible Virtual Technician function with 21 adjustable parameters
■ High-end audio processing and amplification technology for headphones
■ Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio wireless connectivity
■ Dedicated PianoRemote app for control on iOS and Android platforms.

Touch

The GP Touch muting system (exclusively available for the GP type of piano)

The latest AURES AR2 grand pianos feature Kawai's all-new GP Touch mute system. This technology features a vastly improved hammer stop rail system, capable of precisely stopping the action's hammer motion immediately before it strikes the strings, without the need for special adjustments to escapement position or timing.

This unique design allows pianists to play AURES AR2 grand pianos with the same level of effortless fluidity as their standard acoustic counterparts, whether in normal or muted playing mode, while enjoying a wide range of practical and inspiring digital features.

Unlike conventional mute systems that stop the hammer rod at a single position, the AURES AR2's GP Touch mute system places the stop rail at various points along the keyboard, as close as possible to the hammers, guaranteeing a firm, precise stop just before the hammers strike the strings. Due to the GP Touch mute system's firm, precise stopping capabilities, it is no longer necessary to regulate a shallow escape point for the action. As a result, pianists can enjoy exactly the same grand piano touch in both normal and muted playing modes.

Integrated hammer detection system

The precise movements of the hammers on the AURES AR2 pianos are measured using Kawai's Integrated Hammer Sensing System (IHSS), which utilizes high-resolution non-contact optical sensors to provide superior accuracy compared to traditional key-based sensor systems. This technology ensures precise and reliable hammer detection for a more authentic playing experience.

This more advanced approach more faithfully reproduces the mechanical movement of upright and grand piano actions, allowing the full range of dynamics to be expressed by the instrument's powerful digital piano sound engine with natural fluidity.

The sound

Grand concert piano Shigeru Kawai SK-EX

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert piano was conceived as the next step in the evolution of the art of piano playing. Earning a reputation as "Japan's premier piano", it graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the world, receiving universal acclaim for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range. The SK-EX has been a frequent choice of professional pianists at prestigious events such as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Rubinstein International Piano Competitions. With its magnificent tone and incredibly responsive touch, the SK-EX can best be described in one word - unsurpassed.

The flagship digital piano sound engine

AURES AR2 instruments feature Kawai's latest digital piano sound technologies from the highly regarded Concert Artist and Novus product lines. When playing with headphones or with the AURES mode active, pianists can enjoy the magnificent sound of the flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full grand concert piano, beautifully reproduced thanks to the advanced SK-EX Rendering sound engine.

Multi-channel sampling

The SK-EX Rendering engine uses multi-channel sampling to capture the sound from various points of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. This sophisticated sampling technique helps recreate the full and nuanced acoustic characteristics of the instrument, providing a highly realistic and expressive piano playing experience.

This modern technique not only makes it possible to record and reproduce a wider range of tonal characteristics, but also enhances the connection felt between the keyboard and the piano sound, resulting in a more lively and authentic response to changes in dynamics.

Complete resonance modeling

This naturally expressive Shigeru Kawai sound is further enhanced by resonance algorithms that model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings and various other parts of an acoustic piano.

The SK-EX Rendering produces resonances for the sustain pedal and all 88 keys progressively, allowing the sound of the AURES AR2 digital piano to behave exactly like an acoustic piano. This progressive resonance modeling adds to the realism and authenticity of the playing experience, making it feel as if you are playing a traditional acoustic piano.

Speaker system on the soundboard

In addition to soundproofing and digital sound features, AURES AR2 instruments are also equipped with the latest version of Kawai's advanced soundboard speaker system. This innovative technology uses four high-performance transducers strategically placed on the solid spruce soundboard of the upright or grand piano. These transducers route the sound generated digitally by the AURES AR2 instrument through the large wooden soundboard, resulting in a natural acoustic tone that is more extended than that produced by traditional cone speakers.

Pianists can take advantage of the flexibility and convenience offered by a digital piano, such as the ability to select a wide range of different instrument sounds, record and replay their performance, or freely adjust the volume level to avoid disturbing their loved ones - all while continuing to play with the exceptional Millennium III upright or grand piano keyboard actions of the AURES AR2.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale" is a sophisticated feature built into the piano's design to enhance harmonics in the treble range, infusing the tone with brilliance and richness. By allowing specific harmonics to resonate freely and interact with the vibrating main part of the strings, this technology optimizes the harmonic series, delivering a more vibrant, resonant sound. High notes retain their clarity and purity while being enriched with a luxurious warmth, offering pianists a wider palette of tonal colors to explore and express their artistry. This extraordinary addition elevates the piano musical experience, captivating listeners with its expressive and spellbinding qualities.

Weight & dimensions

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

Extended Key Length

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Weight & dimensions

Sometimes the best role for an instrument is obvious from the start. The GL-50 Conservatory Grand Piano has found its highest calling within musical institutions, where its versatile size is ideally suited to teaching studios and smaller recital spaces. At 6'2", it offers abundant tone quality and perfect bass resonance for professional teaching applications. The GL-50 has all the features that earned the GL Series MMR magazine's Global Music Industry "Product of the Year" award in 2016, including the revolutionary Action Millennium III with ABS-Carbon parts that promises unparalleled consistency of feel and control over time. And, like the GL-40, the GL-50 features the CORE system, which maximizes the reflective capabilities of the inner frame to deliver greater tonal resonance and power. Play the GL-50 and discover the flagship of the award-winning GL Series line.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and 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.

RIGID FOUNDATIONS FOR THE TOUCH MOVEMENT

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

TAPERED SOUNDBOARD IN SOLID SPRUCE

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

DUPLEX SCALE SCALE

The instrument's duplex scale system provides harmonics in the midrange and treble, adding depth and breadth to the overall sound.

AGRAFFES

The staples ensure precision in string alignment, spacing and angles to produce a more uniform tone and consistent vibratory length of each note.

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 tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE C.O.R.E. SYSTEM

"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 tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

EXTENDED FINGERBOARD LENGTH

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better 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 in order to support the weight of the entire mechanics over time. GL Series keyboard trays are made from extremely robust hardwoods, laminated and reinforced with a steel support spar that increases the strength and rigidity of the keyboard tray to prevent any loss of energy.

V-pro frame

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 'little door' of a piano is that long horizontal piece of wood bordering the front of the notes. Because it's made of wood, this part can twist or bend with changes in humidity, causing the keys to jam. The 'small doors' of the GL series are reinforced by a steel rod that prevents these deformations. The keys move freely, with the 'small door' remaining straight and at a regular distance from the keys throughout the piano's life.

WINDCHEST AND TUNING PEGS

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

Strength enables a piano to maintain its integrity over time. GL Series pianos have the remarkable strength to thrive under the rigors of long-term use.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions