I'd be calling local churches to find one with a piano and see who tunes it. Then call the tuner and see if he would take a look at the piano.

My first job was in a piano store, but that was many eons ago. I was a sheet music seller, but I think I can give you a few pointers. Back when I worked there (1990's), Kawai was considered a cheap-ish brand. I don't know if this has changed, but I wouldn't have recommended buying one then.

Find out if the piano has spent its life in your climate--a piano that moves from one climate to another often experiences bad side effects. Also, find out where it was stored. If it was in a very wet or dry environment, or one where temperatures fluctuated radially, it could have problems.

Press down the right hand pedal, and play every single key, one at a time. This will help you get a true impression of the tone.

Check the keys for looseness: place your finger on the front of a key and move it from left to right and vice versa. It shouldn't move more than 1/16" in either direction. The middle keys are played the most, so pay particular attention to these.

Make sure that nothing (keyboard, hammers, and pedals) squeaks. Check to see if the hammers and strings in good condition. Is there rust and dirt?

These are some simple things to look for, but honestly, I would tell you that no matter what, you should definitely have a tuner look at it. There are so many issues that an expert will see that you won't. For instance, if the soundboard is cracked, you are in big trouble. Pins can be loose or out of whack.

If you aren't able to get an expert in, I would advise you not to buy now. Instead, find a reputable piano store. They will point you in the right direction, and often the first tuning is free, as is the moving cost, which can save a lot of money.

I wish you good luck! Tell us how it goes.

Sounds wonderful to me! And for the right price....almost all problems can be fixed....but for a cracked sound board.
However not likely in a newer piano.
Other things that cost big$$ would be loose pins....again not likely with a newer piano...or worn out pads....another thing not likely with a newer piano.
And remember your daughter is 7....and while this may be her passion for her whole life, she is not likely to be playing the Warsaw Concerto in the near future.
Play it...if it sounds sort of raspy or tinny...not just out of tune, then look further at the sounding board.
But you can tell a lot by lifting the lid...look for mouse droppings...rust...look at the pads...dampers and hammers and see how deeply the marks of the strings are into them....check to see if all the pedals work well....and go for it.
I have a friend who bought a 5 foot Kimball for $100 at an auction...been used and abused, but for kids piano lessons it was just right....and besides it looked great in the living room.
Give it a good look!
Linda C

Even a baby grand is a big piano. You would likely have to give up your dining room. I'd honestly look for an upright instead; it would allow you to use the dining room for 2 functions.

I have a 5 ft. Kawai and I love it. I used to own a Kawai KG 2 which was 5'11 if I remember correctly, and it was considered a better instrument, but I traded it for the smaller model to make more room in my LR. Both were great instruments. Advice on the sounding board is correct. That is the worst case scenario in terms or repairs, but as another poster said, not likely in a newer piano. I'd be willing to take a risk on it if it looks and sounds good when you play it. Could you find someone who plays and bring them with you? I'd also be googling like crazy to learn how to examine a sounding board.

I've also had a couple of uprights; but nothing makes a room like a small grand if you have the space. I'll be thinking of you....hope you get it for a song :)

We just got back from looking at the piano. It's a 1969 Kawai KG-1.

javachick - great idea, nobody has called me back yet but i still have another hour or two before the auction, maybe someone will.

Thank you xantippe and lindac for the technical tips -

It has been in a local home, and is part of an estate auction. No squeaking/rust/dirt. All of the purchase information and the receipts from tuning were in the seat. All of the bass strings were replaced under warranty in 1969. It was tuned regularly until the last tuning in 2004. They keys didn't wiggle but a few of the center keys return slowly. With the pedal pressed it sounded fine to me but I'm not sure I would know if it did not.

Our living room/dining room is one large room, divided by the fireplace. the diningroom portion of it is 142" long by 156" wide. my dr table is 56" x 38", the Lane Acclaim series, so the chairs are kind of smallish. the piano is about 5' wide and 5' deep.

i'm graphing like a madwoman on graph paper right now to see if it will fit somehow. redecor8, you may be right.

i've read online that similar pianos might go for a few grand, if they are structurally sound. we are only thinking of buying this one if it goes for less than $1,000. I have the crazy hope that no one will want to deal with moving it and that it will sell for next to nothing but, you know, there's that "you get what you pay for" thing to consider too.

jjam, thanks for the sounding board advice and the feedback on the kawaii - and i hope that we get it for a song too ;) but if not, something else that is right will come along -

thank you all so much for the info, i'll let you know tonight how the auction goes ;)

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! You got some good advice, so I won't add any. I love the look of a baby grand in the room. Little sis ended up with the one from my parents' home-only fair since she was the best pianist. It is a great gift for your daughter if the price is right and condition is good! Can't wait to hear.

oh and here's a photo taken by the auctioneer before moving it to the auction.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Here is some very good info....they are quite well made and there is info about pricing as well. We had Baldwins for years and years both DH and I taught piano and DH still plays professionally . Good Luck. c

Here is a link that might be useful: Kawai 5'1

cyn and trailrunner thanks! (great link)

We were gifted a baby grand last year. Pianos are funny, more emotional investments than anything. After owning a few uprights and now this, I would say used is the way to go since they do not retain much value. Ours had been completely rebuilt; new soundboard, new felts, the works which can run about 10K on a baby grand. Big expenses don't come till years down the road if they are properly cared for. Go for it if you can, there is no better sound than a grand. Two of our kids play, our home is not large, but we thoroughly enjoy ours.

If you do buy it, we moved ours in last December. Don't bother to tune till it's settled in your home for a while. Then tune it again in a year, and regularly thereafter.

Sincere good luck! I hope that a baby grand piano finds it's way to your house. I have always regretted not having one for my own daughter. We made many moves so it was not plausible. Keep at it even if the Kawai does not work for you.

Oh I'm sorry to report that it sold for $1600 which was probably a good price but more than I could afford right now. Doesn't hurt to dream a little though (: we'll keep looking for a piano but I just want to say how very very much I appreciate the help!

Keep dreaming. I am sorry you didn't get it, but you never know when another might come along!

kiki, I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the piano! But the right one will find you. Pianos have a way of doing that. :)

LOL I"m in the same boat..there is one at our local charity thrift store that I want just cuz ummm It's pretty. We have a player piano from the 1800's and I'd have to let it go to get the baby grand most likely, but it's under a thousand....painful desires LOL And the only piano I can ply is our player heh heh

I would put the word out with friends and family that you are looking for a piano. Lots of times there are people who are looking to get rid of a piano. Maybe you can "connect" with one of them that way.