The differences:

The primary difference between an upright and a grand is the position of the strings and soundboard. In a grand piano they are parallel to the ground, and, in an upright they are vertical. The length of the strings are important to the sound but the most important component for that is the soundboard. In the case of soundboards, size does matter. Very simply stated, the bigger the better. But it is the action that really divides piano players between the two formats. Again very simply stated, the action determines feel, touch, sensitivity and the subtle variables that only pianists can understand.

The action on an upright is vertical and the hammers are pulled back to their normal at-rest position by a tiny spring after being depressed. In a grand piano the hammers are returned by gravity. The difference in speed and finger pressure on the keys is extremely important. Thus, the serious pianists will only play a grand as they can tell the difference and going back and forth between the two does affect their playing. But for the student or the pianist that no longer "needs" a grand or just doesn't have room for one, the upright will do just fine.

Within the ranks of uprights there clearly are differences in size, quality, appearance and cost. One very important point to remember is that a large upright will often times sound better than a small grand. The 48-52" upright models may surprise you.

KAWAI has upright pianos that run the gamut from school auditorium workhorses to high-quality, professional level instruments.

Here are some models with their heights to assist you in finding an upright that may fill your requirements.

Professional:

        K 15         44"                  (No legs or toe blocks)
        K 18         44"
        K 25         48"
        K 30         48"
        K 50         48"
        K 60         52"
        K 80         52"     

        K  2          44"             *    (The K 2 thru K 8 series was released the summer of 2006)
        K  3          48"             *
        K  5          48"             *
        K  6          52"             *
        K  8          52"             *     (Top of the line, their very best)

       

Furniture Styles:                      (Cabinetry stylishly designed in several finishes to be esthetically pleasing)

        504            43"
        505            43"
        506            44 1/2"      *
        508            44 1/2"      *
        604            44"
        605            44"
        607            44 1/2"      *
        701            46 1/2"
        802            43"
        803            43"
        905            46 1/2"
        906            46 1/2"
        907            46 1/2"      *     (Top of the line)



Institutional:

        UST-7        46"            *
        UST-8        48"            *   
        UST-9        48"            *    (Top "school" choice. An excellent piano designed for heavy use.)
        UST-10      48"
        UST-12      48"
        506N

Others:

       BL   12         49"
       BL   31         49"
       BL   51         50"
       BL   61         52"
       BL   71         52"
       BL   82         52"

       BS   2           49"
       BS  20          49"
       BS  30          52"

       CE   7          42"

       CL   4           41"

       CX   4           41"    (no legs or toe blocks)
       CX   5           45"
       CX  21          48"

       KL    32       52"
       KL   502      52"
       KL   602      52"
       KL   705      52"
       KL    70       52"

       KS   1          49"
       KS   2          49"
       KS   3          50"
       KS   5          52"

       KU   5         52"
       KU   20       49"

       KX   10       44"      (no legs or toe blocks)
       KX   15       44"
       KX   21       48"

       M127D        50"

       NS    10       49"
       NS    15       50"
       NS    20       49"
       NS    25       50"
       NS    35       52"
                  
       TM   902

       US    6       52"
       US    8       52"
       US   50      52"
       US   55      52"
       US   65      52"

A Class By Itself:

       VT 132       52"       *      The Variable Touch Piano

This piano is the first and only one of its kind in the world. Noting the key and finger pressure difference between an upright and a grand, KAWAI invented a mechanism that allows the pianist to adjust the keyboard pressure to duplicate the action of a grand. This piano has that ability. Truly a stunning accomplishment.

                                      *      Current production

KAWAI is the only major piano manufacturer in the world to offer a transferable ten year Full Warranty on all of its pianos. For details, see your authorized KAWAI dealer.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan