I love this small but mighty instrument. It’s so well designed and made that it draws me in, inspiring the work of practice. Its sound is clear and direct across the entire range—but warmly rounded in Kawai’s intentional way—producing bell-like tones that are coupled to a surprisingly long sustain. Melodies can really sing. The soundboard’s contribution reminds me of the best sitka-spruce-topped guitars I’ve heard, delicious with a hint of cinnamon spice. The action is notable, providing a leverage that really does feel more like concert-sized instruments. The extended key length is not a gimmick. Dynamic range is enormous and the piano doesn’t distort or top out. This can be a very loud instrument, if played as such. There is of course a very small compromise in the bass, which I notice most in the lowest two notes, but it’s surprisingly slight, and the bass overall is clear and supportive with well-managed inharmonicity that activates the entire cabinet of the instrument in an intimate and pleasurable way. I never feel artistically limited by the piano’s size. Some may want to pay more for a GX-2 due to concerns about string length, but I think that variation in the sound of individual instruments even of the same model comes into play here (don’t buy a piano you haven’t played), and I’m really pleased with my GX-1. It’s an incredible value and the perfect size for my space.
