'Grey Market' Yamahas- again

[Tom Cole]

On the other end of the spectrum from what Robert Goodale wrote below,
are the "A rated" pianos. If you buy these Yamahas individually from the
importer, you can choose what quality ratings you want (there's 4
different rating categories). Or else, you can order a container of
pianos (at much less per piano) and you get what you get.

The dealer I know who buys used Yamahas from an importer chooses only
the top-rated U-1s and U-3s. They are as-is, needing some
cleaning/tuning/voicing/regulating but are in otherwise good shape. The
worst problems I've seen are spring cords rotting and yellowing
keyfronts, the same kinds of problems the domestic instruments get.

In our Calif. coastal climate, very similar to Japan's, I have not found
any major problems as list members have described. It is unfortunate
that there are dealers, in harsher climates, buying the lesser-rated
units which are then spit-shined and hawked to unsuspecting buyers.

Caveat emptor, indeed.

Tom

Robert Goodale wrote:
> 
> John Woodrow wrote:
> >
> > The other aspect that is always raised is the 'seasoned for
> > destination' marketing claim of Yamaha. I live in a fairly high
> > humidity zone and these piano do not appear to have any unusual
> > problem. Has anyone experienced poor stability in these imported
> > pianos? If so, was this above what you would normally expect from
> > moving any piano from a high to lower humidity zone.
> 
> While I am not personally experienced with these imported "used
> institutional" pianos, it is my understanding, (from hearing this topic
> again and again), that these pianos were "seasoned" during construcion
> for the humid climate of the eastern pacific rim, specifically Japan and
> surounding Islands. This, of course, is compounded with the fact that
> they have lived in this climate for twenty years or more. The issue
> seems to be that when these instruments are brought to the much drier
> and seasonally varying U.S. climates, (perhaps with the exception of
> southern Florida or other notorious humid climates), that they literally
> begin to fall apart within a relatively short time. Specifically, the
> pin block becomes loose/delaminated, the soundboard begins cracking and
> falling apart, and the bridges crack and cause the pins to become loose.
> This of course is in addition to worn action components.
> 
> It occures to me that so long as the rim is well in tack, these pianos
> should be purchased only under the assumption that they will require a
> complete rebuilding upon arrival, including a new block, board, and
> bridge cap. Under this accepted understanding, the most logical choice
> would be to purchase the worst of the lot being offered rather than the
> best, thus being less expensive and more profitable in the end.
> 
> Rob Goodale, RPT

-- 
Thomas A. Cole RPT
Santa Cruz, CA