The Truth About Piano
Used Kawai Piano in Malaysia
Buying a Used Kawai Piano in Malaysia? How Old Is the Piano You're About to Buy?
Choosing a piano is a beautiful journey whether for your child’s first lesson, your personal passion, or a professional upgrade. But behind the polished finish ofmany used pianos sold in Malaysia, there may be more than meets the eye.
At Kawai, we believe every piano buyer deserves clarity, confidence, and long-lasting joy. This guide will help you understand the age and condition of the instrument you’re considering, so you can make a choice you’ll never regret.
The Importance of Knowing a Piano’s True Age
Many used pianos in Malaysia are imported, where they’ve spent decades in homes, schools, and studios. Though they may be restored cosmetically, their internal components, like felt hammers, soundboards, and action mechanisms. often show signs of wear due to time and usage.
Some of these pianos are as old as 30, 40, or even 60 years, yet they are often presented as “refurbished” or “like new.” While this isn’t always misleading, it’s important to ask the right questions before making a long-term investment.
Check Your Piano's Age
Every Kawai piano carries a unique serial number. This number can help identify the actual manufacturing year and help you understand the life stage of that particular instrument.
Locate Your Piano’s Serial Number
Kawai Grand Pianos
Serial number is located on the iron plate on the right side of the piano under the music desk (near the tuning pins). You will need to "slide out" to see it on the music desk.
Kawai Upright Pianos Serial number is located on:
1. The top right side of the iron plate (near the tuning pins)
2. The upper center of the plate between the bass and treble sections. By raising the piano lid, you can locate it easily.
Kawai Digital & Hybrid Pianos
Serial number is located under the Kawai logo at the top center of the iron plate.
Kawai Serial Number Reference Chart
Every Kawai acoustic piano carries a unique serial number. This number can help identify the actual manufacturing year, and help you understand the life stage of that particular instrument. We’ve compiled a comprehensive chart that covers:
| Production Year - Kawai Upright Piano | Serial No. | Production Year - Kawai Upright Piano | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 - 1966 (Kawai model: K8, K20, K35, K48) | 32000 - 170000 | 1987 - (Kawai model: BS10) | 1790000 - |
| 1966 - 1969 (Kawai model: KS1, KS2, KS3) | 170000 - 329000 | 1987 - (Kawai model: BS20, BS30 BS40) | 1715000 - |
| 1969-1971 (Kawai model: KU1, KU1D, KU2, KU2D, KU3, KU3D, KU5, KU5D) | 329000 - 478000 | 1988 - (Kawai model: KL65B, KL72W, US63H) | 1800000 - |
| 1971-1973 (Kawai model: KU1B, 2B, 3B, 5B) | 478000 - 577000 | 1988 - (Kawai model: BS20S) | 1800000 - |
| 1973-1980 (Kawai model: BL31, BL51, BL61, BL71) | 577000 - 1100000 | 1986 - (Kawai model: ED48E, ED52S) | 1690000 - |
| 1974 -1980 (Kawai model: BL12) | 688000 - 1100000 | 1990 - (Kawai model: BS2A, BS3A) | 1926000 - |
| 1980-1985 (Kawai model: US50, US60, US70) | 1100000 - 1600000 | 1990 - (Kawai model: BS2A, BS3A) | 1926000 - |
| 1980-1985 (Kawai model: KS2F, KS3F, KS5F) | 36800 | 1990 - (Kawai model: BS1A) | 1970000 - |
| 1982-1985 (Kawai model: CL2) | 1300000 - 1500000 | 1990 - (Kawai model: CL5) | 1976000 - |
| 1984-1987 (Kawai model: CL3) | 1400000 - 1750000 | 1990 - (Kawai model: KL95R, KL64K) | 1970000 - |
| Production Year - Kawai Upright Piano | Serial No. | Production Year - Kawai Upright Piano | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 - (Kawai model: KL51WI, KL51KF, KL53K, KL78W) | 1895000 - | 1991 - (Kawai model: H102WS) | 2045000 - |
| 1990 - (Kawai model: KL75W, KL74K, KL68W) | 1926000 - | 1992 - (Kawai model: US5X C) | 2065000 - |
| 1989 - (Kawai model: US6X) | 1895000 - | 1992 - (Model: BS2A SS) | 2065000 - |
| 1990 - (Kawai model: UX8X, US9X) | 1970000 - | 1992 - (Kawai model: US5X LE, US7X LE) | 2100000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: H5020, H503W) | 2010000 - | 1993 - (Kawai model: KL62KF, WI, BS1N, BS2N BS3N) | 2120000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: H102W, H201R, H202M, H301W) | 2010000 - | 1993 - (Kawai model: H202P) | 2125000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: US5X US7X) | 2010000 - | 1993 - (Model: AT14, AT32) | 2160000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: BS25) | 2010000 - | 1994 - (Kawai model: AT22) | 2170000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: CL5N) | 2040000 - | 1994 - (Kawai model: HA20) | 2175000 - |
| 1991 - (Kawai model: US7X SE, BS2A SE) | 2040000 - | 1994 - (Kawai model: BS1C, BS2C, BS3C) | 2190000 - |
| Production Year - Kawai Grand Piano | Serial No. | Production Year - Kawai Grand Piano | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 - (Kawai model: GS80) | 1160000 - | 1989 - (Kawai model: CA40A, CA60A, CA70A) | 1895000 - |
| 1981-1986 (Kawai model: KG2D, KG3D) | 1245000 - 1690000 | 1991 - (Kawai model: RXA) | 2010000 - |
| 1981- (Kawai model: GS100) | 1225000 - | 1991 - (Kawai model: CR40N) | 2010000 - |
| 1981-1985 (Kawai model: GS50) | 1270000 - 1610000 | 1992 - (Kawai model: KG1N KG2N KG3N) | 2600000 - |
| 1981-1984 (Kawai model: KG70) | 1270000 - 1520000 | 1993 - (Kawai model: GM1) | 2160000 - |
| 1984-1989 (Kawai model: GS70) | 1525000 - 1895000 | 1994 - (Kawai model: KA1, KA2) | 2170000 - |
| 1985-1989 (Kawai model: CA40, CA60) | 1615000 - 1895000 | 1994 - (Kawai model: NX40A, NX50, NX60A) | 2185000 - |
| 1986-1990 (Kawai model: KG1E, KG2E) | 1695000 - 1960000 | 1995 - (Kawai model: KA10, KA20) | 2234000 - |
| 1987-1990 (Kawai model: KG3E, KG6E) | 1720000 - 1960000 | 1995 - (Kawai model: RX1, RX2) | 2225000 - |
| 1988 - (Kawai model: CA40S, CS60S) / 1988 - 1989 (Kawai model : CA40X CA40MII) | 1800000 - / 1800000 - 1890000 | 1995 - (Kawai model: RX3, RX5 RX6) / 1995 - (Kawai model: RX7) | 2234000 - / 2253000 - |
| Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. | Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 4200 | 1956 | 21300 |
| 1930 | 6000 | 1957 | 22500 |
| 1935 | 8350 | 1958 | 23200 |
| 1940 | 9600 | 1960 | 26000 |
| 1945 | 12000 | 1961 | 34500 |
| 1950 | 14200 | 1962 | 75760 |
| 1952 | 15000 | 1963 | 85622 |
| 1953 | 16200 | 1964 | 132307 |
| 1954 | 18600 | 1965 | 163178 |
| 1955 | 20590 | 1966 | 203433 |
| Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. | Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 251660 | 1977 | 904384 |
| 1968 | 303686 | 1978 | 973490 |
| 1969 | 369088 | 1979 | 1067130 |
| 1970 | 425121 | 1980 | 1126366 |
| 1971 | 488834 | 1981 | 1219355 |
| 1972 | 558216 | 1982 | 1300000 |
| 1973 | 633601 | 1983 | 1380000 |
| 1974 | 718768 | 1984 | 1475000 |
| 1975 | 785568 | 1985 | 1550000 |
| 1976 | 844362 | 1986 | 2774800 |
| Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. | Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1706250 | 1997 | 2279943 |
| 1988 | 1781250 | 1998 | 2314043 |
| 1989 | 1856250 | 1999 | 2350000 |
| 1990 | 1950000 | 2000 | 2380000 |
| 1991 | 2000000 | 2001 | 2410000 |
| 1992 | 2050000 | 2002 | 2430000 |
| 1993 | 2100000 | 2003 | 2466000 |
| 1994 | 2160743 | 2004 | 2495000 |
| 1995 | 2197503 | 2005 | 2518000 |
| 1996 | 2244232 | 2006 | 2543000 |
| Year of Production (Japan) | Serial No. | Production Year (Japan) | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2566000 | 2017 | 2700000 |
| 2008 | 2585000 | 2018 | 2710000 |
| 2009 | 2602000 | 2019 | 2720000 |
| 2010 | 2615000 | 2020 | 2730000 |
| 2011 | 2628000 | 2021 | 2747500 |
| 2012 | 2639000 | 2022 | 2761600 |
| 2013 | 2651000 | 2023 | 2774800 |
| 2014 | 2664000 | - | - |
| 2015 | 2675000 | - | - |
| 2016 | 2686000 | - | - |
| Production Year (Indonesia) | Serial No. | Production Year (Indonesia) | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | F000200 | 2013 | F080000 |
| 2004 | FF002200 | 2014 | F092000 |
| 2005 | FF004700 | 2015 | F102000 |
| 2006 | F010600 | 2016 | F112000 |
| 2007 | F018700 | 2017 | FF122000 |
| 2008 | F030500 | 2018 | F132000 |
| 2009 | F040085 | 2019 | F142000 |
| 2010 | F049000 | 2020 | F153000 |
| 2011 | F057700 | - | - |
| 2012 | F067900 | - | - |
| Production Year (Canada) - KX Model | Serial No. | Production Year (Canada) - KX Model | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 20000 | 2011 | 400000 |
| 2002 | 210000 | 2012 | 41000 |
| 2003 | 230000 | 2013 | 42000 |
| 2004 | 260000 | - | - |
| 2005 | 300000 | - | - |
| 2006 | 320000 | - | - |
| 2007 | 34000 | - | - |
| 2008 | 36800 | - | - |
| 2009 | 37900 | - | - |
| 2010 | 38900 | - | - |
Kawai K8 Upright Piano
The Kawai K8 is 125-132 cm (roughly 52-inch) professional acoustic upright piano made in Japan, frequently found in refurbished and Japan-imported. The piano is over 60 years old.
Color: Bright Black
Serial Number: 70321
Type: Upright Piano
Origin: Japan
Kawai BL-71 Upright Piano
This Kawai BL-71 comes from a respected era of Japanese piano craftsmanship and is over 46 years old (manufactured between 1973 - 1980)
Color: Bright Black
Serial Number: 70321
Type: Upright Piano
Origin: Japan
Why It's Helpful to Know the Age
A newer piano generally means:
• Greater tuning stability
• Better touch response and tone quality
• Longer resale value
• And in many cases, warranty coverage
Older pianos can still sound beautiful, especially when maintained well, but it’s helpful to know what level of performance, reliability, and maintenance to expect.
By checking the serial number, you’re simply making a smarter, more empowered choice.
Buying an older reconditioned or refurbished piano can sometimes look attractive in terms of price, but there are important risks to consider before making a decision:
• The pinblock may have lost its grip on the tuning pins over decades, leading to unstable tuning. Even after refurbishment, it may not hold pitch reliably.
• The soundboard may have hidden cracks or separations that affect tone quality and resonance. Some cracks can worsen with Malaysia’s humidity.
- The action mechanism (hammers, shanks, repetition levers, etc.) may have already gone through decades of wear.
- Even if felt or hammers are replaced, the underlying wooden action parts may have fatigue or warping, leading to uneven touch response.
- Older pianos often cannot maintain modern concert pitch (A440) consistently.
- They may require frequent tuning or might need to be tuned lower, which limits performance use.
- Original parts may no longer be manufactured, especially for discontinued models.
- Repairs can become more expensive or even impossible in the long run.
- Decades-old pianos, especially if originally from Japan or Europe, might have suffered damage from being stored or shipped in different climates.
- Warped keys, corroded strings, and rusty action parts are common issues.
- "Reconditioned" or "refurbished" can mean anything from cosmetic polishing to partial parts replacement, it does not guarantee full restoration.
- Some sellers may only do surface-level work (new paint, new keytops) without addressing deeper structural issues.
A 30–50 year old refurbished piano typically has limited resale value, as buyers today prefer newer instruments with longer lifespan left.
Why It’s Helpful to Know the Age
Whether you’re buying new or used, here’s how to protect your musical investment:
• Always check the serial number
• Ask for the production year and service history
• Look for models made within the past 20–25 years for the best balance of value and longevity
• Buy from trusted sources that offer support, transparency, and after-sales care
At Kawai, our mission is to bring the right piano into your life, one that brings joy, inspires creativity, and lasts for years to come.
A newer piano generally means:
• Greater tuning stability
• Better touch response and tone quality
• Longer resale value
• And in many cases, warranty coverage
Older pianos can still sound beautiful, especially when maintained well but it’s helpful to know what level of performance, reliability, and maintenance to expect.
By checking the serial number, you’re simply making a smarter, more empowered choice.
Is my piano valuable or vintage?
Not all old pianos are considered valuable, but many still hold strong musical and practical value.
We evaluate based on:
• Age (from serial number)
• Model and series
• Condition (soundboard, action, tuning stability)
• Maintenance history
Important:
Older does not always mean more valuable. Well-maintained pianos often perform better than neglected “vintage” ones.
Is my piano Japanese or Indonesian made?
Kawai pianos are manufactured in multiple locations, including Japan and Indonesia.
Japan-made pianos are typically earlier models or premium lines, often associated with traditional craftsmanship and higher resale demand
Indnesia-made pianos are more recent production, designed for consistency, modern reliability, better value for newer instruments
Note:
The serial number can indicate factory origin and production period.
Should I service or upgrade my piano?
This is the most important question, and it depends on your piano’s condition and your goals.
You may consider servicing if:
- The piano is structurally sound
- Only requires tuning, regulation, or minor repairs
- You are satisfied with the tone and touch
You may consider upgrading if:
- The piano has inconsistent tone or touch
- Major repairs are required
- You are progressing musically and need better performance
Note:
A proper assessment can save unnecessary repair costs or guide a smarter upgrade decision.
Not sure what your piano needs?
Contact us to help you assess your piano and recommend the best next step. We provide assessment, trade-in options and upgrade recommendations based on your needs.
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