The Organ Forum

Hi there, my grandmother wants to sell her Kawai E37C organ that she bought brand new in 1981. It is in perfect condition and still has the original owners manual. We would appreciate it if anyone knew approximately what it would be worth? We are in Australia.

Thank you very much!

 Aaron

Hi Aaron

Sorry to tell you this, but the true monetary value is zero. The home organ market collapsed some years ago and most older organs are almost worthless. If I tell you that the E37C wasn't made after 1978 (probably still 'new' stock in 1981) and was the smallest organ in the Kawai range, valued at £495 UK back then, and then that I was offered the top of the range SR6 model from 1987 (£7000) for just £50 a few months ago, you'll see what I mean.

If you get $10 you'll be lucky. Better to give it away to something like a care home that would like a small organ to make some music with.

Andy G

G'day Aaron,

I don't often disagree with Andy, our Kawai king, but our market in OZ didn't get E37C until 1979, when it sold for AUD$995.

But I will agree with Andy on its value, and it's the sort of instrument that a nursing home, senior cits, or bowls club would appreciate and would put to good use.

Cheers  

Ian

That's interesting, Ian. I notice too that BB incorrectly dates the E37 as 1979, though it has a picture of the E37CW!

I joined Kawai full time at the end of 1977, and the older E65 was just being replaced by the E37C then. (I think I had to demonstrate it "in concert" for the first ever public Kawai demo I did). The replacement E37CW, same organ, but with ElectroChordBass II - "W" for walking bass - came along later in 1978, so maybe that's the one you're thinking of. That did stay in production for a year or so more.

Some Kawai distributors didn't bother with it, preferring to start the range with the E44CW - 7 extra keys per manual for not a lot more $/£ - or, as in the UK once I'd put my oar in, with the E90 and E100 models.

Andy

Thank you very much Ian and Andy for your help. I will try to find a club or age care facility who would appreciate it.

Thanks

Aaron