Description
For over 85 years, Kawai has been the architect of the modern piano, boldly pioneering the use of state-of-the-art materials and advanced engineering to advance the piano art form. The GL Series represents the culmination of this vision – grand pianos conceived with one goal in mind: to provide exceptional touch and tone that endures.
The Millennium III Action: Revolutionary Touch
At the heart of the GL20 lies Kawai’s ground breaking Millennium III Action – the same revolutionary technology that has transformed piano performance across Kawai’s entire range. Featuring components made from ABS-Carbon (a composite material created by infusing carbon fibre into Kawai’s renowned ABS Styran), this action represents the pinnacle of modern piano action design.
The Power of Pianissimo
One of the most coveted attributes of a fine piano is dynamic range – the ability to play not only thundering fortissimos, but also the most delicate and sensitive pianissimos. The technological superiority of the Millennium III Action is most evident in its extraordinary ability to produce the perfect pianissimo. The GL20’s technology speaks loudest when it whispers.
Longer Keys for Superior Control
The GL20 features longer keys that make playing easier and provide more even response from front to back of the playing surface. A taller profile and concert-length key buttons make the keys more rigid, providing exceptional energy transfer and optimum power. This design enhancement gives you greater control across the entire dynamic range with less physical effort.
Rigid Foundation for Precise Keystroke
The hammer rail – the “spine” of the piano’s action – is constructed from durable extruded aluminium with Kawai’s exclusive Dual-Beam design for exceptional strength and stability. Both the hammer rail and wippen rail are permanently locked in place to preserve the exacting tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch over the piano’s lifetime.
Tapered Solid Spruce Soundboard
Kawai uses only straight-grained, quarter-sawn solid spruce for GL Series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to provide the proper degree of resonant movement in each region – optimising response across the entire tonal spectrum from deep bass to singing treble.
Duplex Scaling for Enhanced Brilliance
The GL20 features duplex scaling – both fore and back – which enhances harmonics in the treble range, adding brilliance and richness to the piano’s tone. This sophisticated acoustic enhancement creates additional harmonic overtones that give the GL20 its distinctive, complex voice and contribute to the instrument’s singing quality in the upper register.
Agraffes for Tonal Precision
The GL20 features agraffes on keys 1-46, ensuring accuracy in string alignment, spacing, and angles. These precision-engineered brass guides produce greater uniformity of tone and consistent “speaking length” for each note, contributing to the instrument’s remarkable tonal clarity and projection.
Hardwood Bridges
Bridges transfer string vibrations to the soundboard. The GL20’s bridges are crafted from solid maple or beech, carefully set and matched to the iron plate for correct string pressure and optimal tonal transfer. This attention to detail ensures efficient energy transmission and superior tonal response.
The Versatile Grand Piano
At 5’2″ (157cm) in length, the GL20 offers enhanced tonal depth and projection over the GL10 whilst remaining practical for home environments. This versatile grand delivers:
- Authentic grand piano action with horizontal hammer movement and superior repetition
- Enhanced tonal richness from optimised string lengths and duplex scaling
- Professional construction including SOLID design, V-Pro plate, and three back posts
- Practical footprint suitable for homes, studios, and teaching rooms
- Kawai’s renowned reliability backed by decades of engineering excellence
The GL20 is ideal for:
- Serious students advancing through grades and preparing for diplomas
- Teachers requiring a professional-quality grand for demonstration and private teaching
- Accomplished pianists seeking enhanced tonal depth over compact models
- Families investing in an instrument that will serve for generations
- Studios and practice rooms where space efficiency and professional quality are both essential
The Cambridge Pianoforte Difference
When you choose to purchase your Kawai GL20 from Cambridge Pianoforte, you’re beginning a relationship with Cambridge’s most established piano specialists. As an independent, family-run business celebrating over 50 years of service and one of the UK’s longest-serving Kawai and Steinway agents, we bring unparalleled expertise to every aspect of your piano ownership.
Our comprehensive service includes:
- Expert delivery and positioning by our trained technicians at a time convenient for you (see Delivery tab for full details)
- Complimentary tuning package with your new piano purchase, ensuring your GL20 maintains its optimal voice
- Ongoing technical support from technicians trained at Steinway’s Hamburg facility – the same professionals trusted by world-renowned pianists and Cambridge’s most prestigious concert venues
- Specialist regulation and voicing services to maintain your GL20’s performance and tailor it to your preferences
- Expert consultation on piano placement, room acoustics, and instrument care
- Showroom experience where you can play and compare the GL20 alongside other grand and upright pianos in a relaxed, professional environment
Visit our Cambridge showroom to experience the GL20’s exceptional touch and tone for yourself, or call us to discuss how this versatile grand piano could transform your musical journey.
Please refer to the Specification tab for detailed dimensions and weight information. Full delivery information, returns policy, and terms and conditions are available in their respective tabs.
Ready to experience the GL20’s superior performance? Call Cambridge Pianoforte or visit our showroom – we’re here to help.
