Built to last or One-year wonders- compare warranty across- Yamaha vs. Roland vs. Kawai vs. Casio vs. Korg digital pianos

“One key has started playing at max volume and the repair quote is $500 to replace the contact board and do a general tune up.”

The pianist didn't expect a single key to cost that much.

But imagine that happening a few days before your next big performance. You sit down to rehearse and hear the same key blaring through every passage. You try playing around it, but that only works until the piece asks you to play the note again.

Now you have a rehearsal schedule to keep and a piano that needs a repair before you can use it again. And keys are not the only parts of a piano that can fail. A power supply can give out, an internal electronic board can fail, a key contact or even a sensor can stop working.

When that happens, your brain’s brimming with questions. How long will the repair take? How much will it cost? And who is going to pay for it? 

That last question sends you back to the warranty paperwork you immediately put away when you bought the piano. You need to find out when the coverage begins and whether the manufacturer considers the failure you are dealing with covered under the warranty or not.

So, let’s compare the warranties from some of the biggest piano brands and see what they cover and what they don’t.

What your digital piano warranty actually covers

Sometimes, a piano breaks simply because of how it was made. A faulty part may have been used or the components may not have been assembled properly. A manufacturer’s warranty only covers issues caused by these factors.

But that does not mean every repair that looks like a factory defect is covered. The manufacturer will run its own check to see what caused the problem and decide if it is covered. If the problem was caused by misuse or by your own attempt to repair it, the warranty can get voided.

What you also need to check is the length of the warranty offered. And it varies widely.  Korg, for example, provides 1–3 years of coverage for its pianos, while Roland offers a 10-year warranty on select HP, LX, and GP digital pianos.

So, let’s look at what each brand offers.

Yamaha vs. Roland vs. Kawai vs. Casio vs. Korg: How their warranties compare

Yamaha

Yamaha gives you 3 years of coverage for its P, YDP, and DGX600 digital piano series. If a defect causes a breakdown during that period, Yamaha may repair it with new or refurbished parts that meet its specifications, while you cover installation, removal, and initial shipping costs.

Here’s what you get with that coverage:

• 3 years for defects in materials and workmanship
• Parts and labor are covered for the warranty period
• Digital piano accessories are covered for 1 year
• Yamaha covers return shipping for warranty repairs within the U.S.

Roland

Roland’s warranty covers the first consumer who buys a covered product from an authorized U.S. dealer. For warranty service, you must ship the product to Roland with proof of purchase and pay the shipping and packaging costs.

Here is what the warranty provides:

• 3 to 10 years, depending on the piano series
• Parts and labor are covered for the warranty period
• In-home service is available for select digital pianos

Kawai

Kawai provides 5 years of coverage for its CN, CA, DG, and NV digital and hybrid pianos. If a repair is required due to a manufacturing issue, Kawai will first try to repair it at your location. If that is not practical, you may have to ship the piano at your own expense.

Here’s what the Kawai warranty includes:

• 5 years for defects in materials and workmanship
• Parts and labor are covered for the warranty period
• Warranty applies only to the original purchaser

Casio

Casio’s warranty covers defects in its digital pianos. To get service, you need proof of purchase and must take or send the piano to a Casio service location. Casio will then repair the piano using reconditioned or replacement parts or replace it with the same or a similar model.

Here is what else the warranty offers:

• 1 year for defects in materials and workmanship
• Parts and labor are covered for the warranty period

Korg

Korg’s U.S. warranty gives the original buyer 1 year of coverage, while Japanese-made pianos get 3 years. When a covered defect occurs, Korg will repair or replace the piano.

Here is what the warranty provides:

• 1 year for most pianos; 3 years for Japanese-made pianos
• Parts and labor are covered for the warranty period
• Pedals are covered for 90 days

Here is how these brands compare side by side:

Now that you know what a manufacturer’s warranty covers, let’s see how it compares with other types of warranty coverage.

The coverage details tell you what the warranty includes. Now it’s time to look at what they leaves out.

What your manufacturer warranty doesn’t cover

A warranty might cover the piano, but there are still plenty of ways a repair bill can land back in your hands.

Here’s a closer look at what each manufacturer does not cover:

When your digital piano needs extra coverage

A piano can become a problem even while the manufacturer’s warranty is still active. When the factory warranty doesn’t cover a breakdown, you have to pay for the repair yourself. And when it breaks after the manufacturer’s warranty ends, replacing an expensive piano isn’t easy either.

An extended warranty addresses both issues for you.

With a SureBright Anywhere extended warranty plan, your digital piano gets coverage for mechanical and electrical breakdowns, including normal wear and tear. Power surge protection begins on the day you buy the plan, while breakdown coverage starts after the manufacturer’s warranty ends. You also have 90 days after buying the piano to add the plan, giving you flexibility to protect it after your purchase.

If you have a piano you love to play, protect it for another 2-4 years with SureBright Anywhere.

FAQs

My digital piano suddenly stopped working. Would the plan cover the repair?

If the failure is caused by a mechanical or electrical breakdown, such as a failed power supply or internal electronic component, the repair is covered under the plan. For more details on what’s included, read the SureBright Anywhere coverage details.

When does my SureBright Anywhere coverage start?

Your breakdown coverage begins after the shortest portion of the manufacturer’s warranty ends. Power surge protection starts on the day you purchase the plan. Your coverage dates are shown before you purchase the plan, so you know when your protection begins.

How long after buying a digital piano can I add a SureBright Anywhere plan?

You have 90 days from the date you buy your digital piano to add a plan. So, you do not have to make the decision at the checkout counter; you have some time to think about it after your piano is home.