Shigeru Kawai SK-5 - Chamber Grand

CHAMBER GRAND

The SK-5 is the third piano in the Shigeru Kawai series, and is the perfect choice for stately homes, professional venues and intimate recital spaces. This series is an exceptional range of concert music instruments inspired by the designs of the company's founder, Koichi Kawai.

KIGARASHI SOUNDBOARD (KE-GAH-RAH'-SHE)

The conical soundboard of a Shigeru Kawai piano is exclusively crafted from the finest spruce wood, which has been dried using the traditional Kigarashi process. A material can only achieve its natural balance through a long period of air drying. This meticulously executed, lengthy process forms the foundation that gives Shigeru Kawai grand pianos their unique and full sound.

KONSEI KATAGI BELT (KON'-SAY KAH-TAH'-GE)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

THE MILLENNIUM III ACTION

Our Millennium III action utilizes extremely lightweight and rigid carbon ABS components to deliver faster repetition and more power with less effort. Microscopic surface textures on the action parts provide unique response and control.

SOLID STRETCHER OVER-LAP INTEGRATED DESIGN

The Solid Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design (SOLID) creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the immense string tension. With SOLID design, the soundboard is manually fit to the rim. The soundboard and rim are then integrated into a single unit and securely fastened to the rim. The final harmonic structure possesses exceptional strength and rigidity, allowing for stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE SHIKO SEION HAMMERS

Shiko Seion hammers take their name from the Japanese words for "ultimate expression". They are created exclusively and proudly by our master piano craftsmen. Without the use of heat or artificial hardeners, each hammer is hand-pressed and tuned to produce a melodious, well-balanced tone.

EXTENDED KEYS

The overall size of the keys is extended to facilitate nuanced control across the entire playing surface. The key buttons also have an enlarged section to ensure increased resistance and power transmission.

CONCERT CAPSTAN

The use of hardwood maple key buttons adds stiffness to the keysticks for improved energy transfer. The redesigned key buttons on the Shigeru Concert Series instruments have been doubled in length to provide exceptional energy transfer and optimum power.

TEMAKI BASS STRINGS

In Japanese, the term "temaki" means "hand-rolled." During the slow temaki process, the master craftsman patiently hand-spins each bass string for absolute precision and tension, ensuring rich character and superb depth of sound.

SPRUCE STRUTS

Spruce is known for its unique ability to conduct and preserve sound energy. However, it is generally considered too valuable and costly to be used as a structural material. In Shigeru Kawai pianos, all interior struts are made entirely of the finest spruce.

CONCERT BRIDGES

Identical to those used on our renowned SK-EX concert grand piano, Shigeru Kawai concert bridges are individually made from brass bars to ensure optimal precision and strength. This results in a clear, powerful, and impressive tone.

DOUBLE PIVOT DAMPER

Every feature of a Shigeru Kawai piano demonstrates the meticulous attention given to the needs and demands of professional pianists. The double pivot damper mechanism, originally developed for the Shigeru Kawai EX concert piano, is the only one that allows smooth and precise control of half-pedaling for delicate tonal expression.

BOXWOOD BRIDGE CAPS

Boxwood is an extremely sturdy wood that is particularly effective in transferring higher frequency sound waves from the bridge to the soundboard. Boxwood bridge caps provide a projection of the treble range that complements the powerful bass of grand pianos.

EXQUISITE CRAFTMANSHIP.

The passion for excellence lies deep in the heart of every Shigeru craftsman.

UNRIVALED PROGRESS.

True creativity can never stop striving. It must continually progress and evolve.

THE EXPERT'S CHOICE

PIANOS MADE TO PERFECTION.

The GX-6 BLAK combines exquisite tone with breathtaking beauty to deliver an instrument worthy of the largest concert hall or professional studio. It has been designed with performance in mind, and is equipped with intelligent design elements that will help the artist communicate at the highest level with excellence and ease.

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. 

Elongated fingerboards made of fir

Fir is the ideal key material - light, yet extremely strong for its weight. It responds with minimal bending and exceptional consistency, conveying every subtle nuance of the pianist's interpretation while remaining stable through years of intensive use. The length of each key has been extended to facilitate playing and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The key shanks are also designed with a slightly higher profile for maximum rigidity and increased power.

Tone

NEOTEX key surfaces

Our exclusive NEOTEX key surface, made from cellulose fibers, offers a smooth, unobtrusive texture similar to natural ivory and ebony, as well as a semi-porous silica-filled surface to absorb natural oils and hand perspiration. Because NEOTEX is used for both black and white keys, key feel is consistent across the entire keyboard. NEOTEX resists cracking and fading over years of use, and is also resistant to static electricity, helping to prevent the build-up of unwanted dust. The result is a beautiful, durable key surface offering exceptional playability.

Rigid foundation for key travel

The hammer rail is the "backbone" of the piano's action. GX Series hammer rails are made of durable extruded aluminum with our exclusive double-beam design for added strength and stability. Both the hammer rail and wippens rail are permanently locked in place to preserve the careful tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch response throughout the life of the piano.

The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely notched to hold each hammer flange securely in place, ensuring optimum hammer alignment. The surface-mounted hammer flanges are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tight without shrinking or swelling. All these meticulous design features form the rigid foundation of the GX series, guaranteeing precise key travel over time.

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.

Hybrid inner border (Rim Konsei Katagi)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

Vertically laminated bridge

The bridge performs the essential task of transferring the vibrations from the strings to the soundboard. GX series bass bridges are made from the highest quality hard maple or beech. Treble bridges are vertically laminated with 13 layers of maple and mogno for maximum strength and optimal sound energy transfer.

Specifications

Dimensions and weights

The GX-1 BLAK Classic Grand Series offers the professional pianist a superb range of tonal expressiveness, as well as a level of elegance and craftsmanship unmatched for a piano of its size. Slightly smaller than the traditional "classical" grand, but larger than a baby grand, it fits perfectly into any smaller home or studio without sacrificing performance.

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. 

Elongated fingerboards made of fir

Fir is the ideal key material - light, yet extremely strong for its weight. It responds with minimal bending and exceptional consistency, conveying every subtle nuance of the pianist's interpretation while remaining stable through years of intensive use. The length of each key has been extended to facilitate playing and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The key shanks are also designed with a slightly higher profile for maximum rigidity and increased power.

Tone

NEOTEX key surfaces

Our exclusive NEOTEX key surface, made from cellulose fibers, offers a smooth, unobtrusive texture similar to natural ivory and ebony, as well as a semi-porous silica-filled surface to absorb natural oils and hand perspiration. Because NEOTEX is used for both black and white keys, key feel is consistent across the entire keyboard. NEOTEX resists cracking and fading over years of use, and is also resistant to static electricity, helping to prevent the build-up of unwanted dust. The result is a beautiful, durable key surface offering exceptional playability.

Rigid foundation for key travel

The hammer rail is the "backbone" of the piano's action. GX Series hammer rails are made of durable extruded aluminum with our exclusive double-beam design for added strength and stability. Both the hammer rail and wippens rail are permanently locked in place to preserve the careful tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch response throughout the life of the piano.

The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely notched to hold each hammer flange securely in place, ensuring optimum hammer alignment. The surface-mounted hammer flanges are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tight without shrinking or swelling. All these meticulous design features form the rigid foundation of the GX series, guaranteeing precise key travel over time.

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.

Hybrid inner border (Rim Konsei Katagi)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

Vertically laminated bridge

The bridge performs the essential task of transferring the vibrations from the strings to the soundboard. GX series bass bridges are made from the highest quality hard maple or beech. Treble bridges are vertically laminated with 13 layers of maple and mogno for maximum strength and optimal sound energy transfer.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

ORCHESTRA GRAND

The sight and sound of the SK-6 will captivate any audience, wherever you perform. Whether in a large auditorium or your own personal studio, the style, timbre and voice of the SK-6 Orchestra Grand are perfect for any occasion.

The Shigeru Kawai SK-6, an instrument of profound beauty, sits proudly in the middle of the Shigeru Kawai range, and boasts stability, consistent touch and a rich, well-balanced tone that is the envy of the best pianos in its class.

KIGARASHI SOUNDBOARD (KE-GAH-RAH'-SHE)

The conical soundboard of a Shigeru Kawai piano is exclusively crafted from the finest spruce wood, which has been dried using the traditional Kigarashi process. A material can only achieve its natural balance through a long period of air drying. This meticulously executed, lengthy process forms the foundation that gives Shigeru Kawai grand pianos their unique and full sound.

KONSEI KATAGI BELT (KON'-SAY KAH-TAH'-GE)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

THE MILLENNIUM III ACTION

Our Millennium III action utilizes extremely lightweight and rigid carbon ABS components to deliver faster repetition and more power with less effort. Microscopic surface textures on the action parts provide unique response and control.

SOLID STRETCHER OVER-LAP INTEGRATED DESIGN

The Solid Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design (SOLID) creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the immense string tension. With SOLID design, the soundboard is manually fit to the rim. The soundboard and rim are then integrated into a single unit and securely fastened to the rim. The final harmonic structure possesses exceptional strength and rigidity, allowing for stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE SHIKO SEION HAMMERS

Shiko Seion hammers take their name from the Japanese words for "ultimate expression". They are created exclusively and proudly by our master piano craftsmen. Without the use of heat or artificial hardeners, each hammer is hand-pressed and tuned to produce a melodious, well-balanced tone.

EXTENDED KEYS

The overall size of the keys is extended to facilitate nuanced control across the entire playing surface. The key buttons also have an enlarged section to ensure increased resistance and power transmission.

CONCERT CAPSTAN

The use of hardwood maple key buttons adds stiffness to the keysticks for improved energy transfer. The redesigned key buttons on the Shigeru Concert Series instruments have been doubled in length to provide exceptional energy transfer and optimum power.

TEMAKI BASS STRINGS

In Japanese, the term "temaki" means "hand-rolled." During the slow temaki process, the master craftsman patiently hand-spins each bass string for absolute precision and tension, ensuring rich character and superb depth of sound.

SPRUCE STRUTS

Spruce is known for its unique ability to conduct and preserve sound energy. However, it is generally considered too valuable and costly to be used as a structural material. In Shigeru Kawai pianos, all interior struts are made entirely of the finest spruce.

CONCERT BRIDGES

Identical to those used on our renowned SK-EX concert grand piano, Shigeru Kawai concert bridges are individually made from brass bars to ensure optimal precision and strength. This results in a clear, powerful, and impressive tone.

DOUBLE PIVOT DAMPER

Every feature of a Shigeru Kawai piano demonstrates the meticulous attention given to the needs and demands of professional pianists. The double pivot damper mechanism, originally developed for the Shigeru Kawai EX concert piano, is the only one that allows smooth and precise control of half-pedaling for delicate tonal expression.

BOXWOOD BRIDGE CAPS

Boxwood is an extremely sturdy wood that is particularly effective in transferring higher frequency sound waves from the bridge to the soundboard. Boxwood bridge caps provide a projection of the treble range that complements the powerful bass of grand pianos.

EXQUISITE CRAFTMANSHIP.

The passion for excellence lies deep in the heart of every Shigeru craftsman.

UNRIVALED PROGRESS.

True creativity can never stop striving. It must continually progress and evolve.

Weight & dimensions

THE EXPERT'S CHOICE

PIANOS MADE TO PERFECTION.

The GX-2 is a classic-sized instrument with exquisite tonal quality.

The new standard in grand piano design is beyond imagination. It combines the latest technology with traditional craftsmanship. It is the application of knowledge and experience handed down from generation to generation. It is the very definition of Japanese piano design philosophy. A lightness of touch usually reserved for the largest pianos. Its rich, lively and expressive sound inspires creative passions. A new era of grand piano performance has begun.

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. 

Elongated fingerboards made of fir

Fir is the ideal key material - light, yet extremely strong for its weight. It responds with minimal bending and exceptional consistency, conveying every subtle nuance of the pianist's interpretation while remaining stable through years of intensive use. The length of each key has been extended to facilitate playing and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The key shanks are also designed with a slightly higher profile for maximum rigidity and increased power.

Tone

NEOTEX key surfaces

Our exclusive NEOTEX key surface, made from cellulose fibers, offers a smooth, unobtrusive texture similar to natural ivory and ebony, as well as a semi-porous silica-filled surface to absorb natural oils and hand perspiration. Because NEOTEX is used for both black and white keys, key feel is consistent across the entire keyboard. NEOTEX resists cracking and fading over years of use, and is also resistant to static electricity, helping to prevent the build-up of unwanted dust. The result is a beautiful, durable key surface offering exceptional playability.

Rigid foundation for key travel

The hammer rail is the "backbone" of the piano's action. GX Series hammer rails are made of durable extruded aluminum with our exclusive double-beam design for added strength and stability. Both the hammer rail and wippens rail are permanently locked in place to preserve the careful tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch response throughout the life of the piano.

The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely notched to hold each hammer flange securely in place, ensuring optimum hammer alignment. The surface-mounted hammer flanges are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tight without shrinking or swelling. All these meticulous design features form the rigid foundation of the GX series, guaranteeing precise key travel over time.

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.

Hybrid inner border (Rim Konsei Katagi)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

Vertically laminated bridge

The bridge performs the essential task of transferring the vibrations from the strings to the soundboard. GX series bass bridges are made from the highest quality hard maple or beech. Treble bridges are vertically laminated with 13 layers of maple and mogno for maximum strength and optimal sound energy transfer.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

A maximum performance in a minimal size

The GL-20 delivers maximum performance with minimal footprint. With its advanced features from the GL series, it will undoubtedly exceed all expectations for a piano of its size.

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.

Duplex ladders

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

Staples

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

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.

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.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions