Every Master Series piano embodies years of dedicated design and meticulous craftsmanship.
Skilled artisans refine each component and shape the sound with patient care, culminating in a final tuning and voicing that reveal the instrument’s full musical potential. Knowledge, passion, and unwavering attention to detail converge in every note, creating an upright piano of exceptional presence and timeless elegance.
Every note begins with a touch — where precision meets emotion, and craftsmanship transforms movement into music.
Millennium III Upright Action features components made of ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by the infusion of carbon fiber into our renowned ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly sturdy and rigid, which allows the creation of action parts that are lighter without sacrificing strength.
The result is a stronger, faster action that offers more power, better control and greater stability than conventional all-wood actions
Made from a custom mold, die-cast parts are formed exactly the same every time.
The Master Series pianos feature three aluminum action brackets that are die-cast to provide an added measure of strength, uniformity and stability for accurate touch over time.
White keys are finished with Kawai’s exclusive NEOTEX surface, crafted from cellulose fiber to recreate the smooth, refined touch of natural ivory. Its semiporous texture gently absorbs oils and perspiration to help prevent slipping, while maintaining its appearance over years of use. Ebony black keys add elegance and a naturally textured feel that enhances grip, sensitivity, and expressive control.
Longer keys make playing easier and provide more even response from the front to the back of the playing surface.
The benefits to the player are greater control and more power with less effort.
From the legacy of Kawai's craftsmanship comes your sound that mirrors the heart — warm, pure, and deeply human.
The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its purpose is to transform the vibrations of the piano’s strings into a rich, resounding tone. Kawai uses only straightgrained, quartersawn solid spruce for Master Series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tone producing capability. Only those that meet or exceed our demanding quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.
The Master Series expands expressive possibilities through the simultaneous use of the muffler mechanism and sostenuto pedal — a rare combination in upright pianos. By adopting a dedicated lever control for the muffler, both quiet practice and advanced pedal techniques can be enjoyed without compromise. This thoughtful design provides greater versatility and expressive freedom, adapting seamlessly to the needs of every pianist and performance setting.
The pressure bar and stainless steel bearing firmly support the movement of the strings, ensuring a more precise attack and a clearer, more transparent resonance. Across the entire upper register, a rich and brilliantly shimmering sound unfolds. Thanks to high-quality tuning pins, tuning stability is enhanced, allowing you to enjoy the piano’s naturally beautiful and refined tone with confidence, every time you play.
Mahogany hammer mouldings are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found on only the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer mouldings on the entire line of Master Series Professional Upright Pianos. All Master Series hammers are T-Stapled to preserve hammer shape and fitted with an added interior layer of underfelt to support the creation of exceptional tone. The Master Series also features brass damper blocks, providing greater precision and accuracy in stopping the strings for enhanced control and tonal clarity.
Every note is shaped with intention. Hammer materials chosen specifically for the Master Series work in harmony with handwound bass strings inspired by Shigeru Kawai grand pianos, giving the instrument a voice that feels unmistakably Kawai; warm, resonant, and full of character. This depth of sound invites expression. From the softest pianissimo to moments of powerful intensity, the piano responds naturally to your touch, allowing music to unfold with richness, nuance, and emotional clarity.
Designed not only to be seen, but to belong — a piano that lives gracefully within the rhythm of everyday life.
With its gracefully rounded, substantial cabinet and a lift-up lid inspired by grand pianos, the Master Series presents a design that blends effortlessly into any living space while offering a refined, reassuring presence. More than an instrument, it becomes part of the room—elevating both the act of playing and the everyday moments that surround it.
The interior of the Master Series reflects meticulous craftsmanship in every detail. Bird’s-eye maple sideboards, reminiscent of a Shigeru Kawai grand piano, display a deep, lustrous beauty, while polished brass accents—from the front and rear casters to the pedals and internal fittings—add a warm, luxurious glow. Finely finished frames and hardware complete the design, creating an instrument that is as visually captivating as it is acoustically refined.
The Master Series features a refined structural design for lasting stability. A strengthened back framework supports string tension, maintains balance, and allows the sound to develop freely. The result is a reassuring sense of stability from the first note—especially in the lower register, where depth and presence rely on a structure that will not yield.
The piano’s keybed must be strong and stable to support the action assembly and maintain action regulation over years of heavy use. Master Series keybeds are made with sturdy laminated hardwoods and reinforced by rear braces on the iron frame that help to ensure stable placement and add rigidity to prevent energy loss.