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Could some of you Kawai experts out there tell me differences between Kawai GS 50 (6'9"), GS 60 (6'9") and CA 60 (6'9")?

I found a GS 50 in mid 1980s and a GS 60 in mid 1990s. Both has powerful base and bell-like treble that I like. Similar prices. I was once told that the actions or others between two GS models was changed. For the CA, I can't see any information that compares to GS series but also think it as a candidate if it is same league with the GS

Have a nice day~

I cannot answer but I hope you get a good piano! 😁

The GS50 was the predecessor of the GS60. The 50 came out approximately in the 80s, the 60 came out in 90s. I know the actions are different, but don't recall if they both had composite parts in the action, or if that didn't start until the 60 came out. The GS stood for Grand Supreme and you could consider them the Shigeru of their day. They were targeted at professional pianists.
The CA60 was part of the concert artist series and was targeted at halls and auditoriums. I don't know what would make them more suited for large venues than the GS series. I think they did have a different action than the GS series. I think that was the period when Kawai was transitioning to their ABS actions and they were making incremental steps. Hopefully KawaiDon will weigh in if he's reading, he would probably know the details of each model.
All those models have excellent reputations and if well cared for could be a very good piano.

As MarkL said the GS-50 was the predecessor to the GS-60. Same basic design, but with the GS-60 the piano became more production oriented, less slowly built. The GS-50 was only produced for a few years, the GS-60 was produced from the mid-80s until about 1992 or so (not sure exactly).
CA-60 was a less expensive version produced for music schools.
Sorry, I don't have any detailed product info to know what small differences there were between models. As far as I know the actions were the same design, but the GS-50 may not have had the composite black jack - not a big difference.

KawaiDon... you came just like MarkL said! 🤪

That so helpful facts, MarkL. The stories of the models were exactly what I have been sought after, KawaiDon. Now I can believe the 50 is more suitable for me in the context of construction.

Actually I also looked another piano nearby, Young Chang PG 208 made in 2002. A private seller of the piano asks 5.5K including transport and prep. He said it was not prepped for the last 10 yrs, and it sounded not bad and is not bad condition, unbelievably. Single user for 20 years. As for the 50, a dealer and tech offered me 11.5K for the 50 including cleaning, transport and prep.

In short, 40 yrs of GS 50 at 11.5K vs half of the age of YC PG 208 at half of the cost. Can I be guided from you about what to choose between the two only with these facts.

During the the production years of the Kawai GS50 and GS 60 grand pianos, the Kawai company was moving ahead under the dynamic leadership of Shigeru Kawai. He took Kawai to a new level with the establishment of eponymous Shigeru Kawai prestige line of grand pianos starting from 2000. The GS 60 was certainly the precursor of the Shigeru Kawai instruments and a well maintained Kawai GS 60 could be a first rate piano.

Good luck in finding the right one.
Robert.

Young Change G208 vs. GS 50/60?

No comparison. But try it and buy what you like!

I guess G 208, which I did not mention at all, is not comparable to GS, and almost needless to say PG 208 I asked may not IMHO. The question was about trading off between price and workmanship. Thank you much for opinion.

Hello, since I've seen a second-hand CA-60 here in France (never seen before), I searched and found this :
"KAWAI model CA is a motif of “EX”, which is an officially adopted model to be used in Chopin International Piano Competition, which is a gateway to success for all the pianists of the world. “C” stands for “Chopin”, and “A” stands for “Anniversary”." (in https://export.grandg.com/en/topics/447/)
And also this:
"The CA60 is from the Kawai "Concert & Artist" series" (in https://www.piano4u.com/piano/Detail/2208).
It's crazy how you can find absolutely opposite information about pianos on the web!

In fact, I found a second CA-60, both are low priced compared to similar size Kawai, so I think the "Chopin Anniversary" origin is a fake, and even "Concert Artist" also. Probably a "grey market" reference no ?