Mike, I think you are doing a great job of comparing pianos and trying to make a choice. From you post, I think you will do fine with either piano. David Ilvedson, RPT From: "Perik, Mike" <mikep@crt.com> To: "'pianotech@ptg.org'" <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: RE: fully disclosed Yamaha lover questions Petrof Date sent: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 07:30:20 -0500 Send reply to: pianotech@ptg.org > Again it's my opinion that considering my price constraints and that I'm not > a piano virtuoso or a seasoned piano technician the differences between a > Yamaha and a Petrof other than possibly their distinct initial tone are not > perceivable. I believe that the actions in a Petrof are Renner so how does > this relate to the tolerances of the actions. I know that the action is > installed on a Petrof frame but I'm not sure I understand if that has > anything to do with the tolerances you mentioned. I believe that Petrof > also brings the moisture content into that range. > > Some of these arguments that you give for Yamaha seem to the same as what I > heard from the Yamaha salesman I spoke to. If the Vacuum Shield Mold > Process is so superior why aren't the Steinways, Bosendorfs, M&H, Bechstein, > etc. using it also. > The Petrof dealer would say that they use many of the same manufacturing > techniques these other manufactures use. > > I'm not saying Yamaha is a bad piano I just can't justify the extra expense > of nominal improvements. What I mean by nominal is that I personally can not > distinguish the difference. > > My research continues, I just hope I can get good enough in the next couple > of months to actually be able to sit down an play a little. It's extremely > intimidating to go into a piano store and attempt to plunk around on a > piano. > > Mike > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: ETomlinCF3@AOL.COM [SMTP:ETomlinCF3@AOL.COM] > > Sent: Thursday, August 12, 1999 4:51 PM > > To: pianotech@ptg.org > > Subject: fully disclosed Yamaha lover questions Petrof > > > > << It's my opinion at this moment is that the Petrof pianos give me a lot > > for > > the price and that there is nothing measurably noticeable gained by > > purchasing a C2/C3 for the price difference. I believe that if I find a > > reputable piano store that preps the Petrof properly I have lost nothing. > > > > Mike >> > > > > That is not my opinion. A piano made by the worlds #1 piano manufacturer > > in > > comparison to a former communist block country with problems such as the > > ones > > listed before in other posts.... there is no comparison in the product. > > Fact, Yamaha has developed the best casting methods in the industry when > > it > > comes to the piano plate. It cost them about $20 million to build and > > research for the manufacturing of the first Vacuum Shield Mold Processed > > plate. All other manufacturers that use this method paid less than half > > that > > after Yamaha perfected the technology. Yamaha holds two-thousandths of an > > > > inch tolerances in the manufacturing of their actions. Petrof doesn't > > come > > close to that. A C2/3 would be the better choice by a long shot. The > > soundboard is quarter sawn and the moisture content of the wood is taken > > to a > > 5-8% range before woods are used in the manufacturing. The Petrof doesn't > > > > keep standards such as these. Longevity of that product would be suspect > > when comparing to a 1957 Yamaha grand I just serviced that the action > > played > > like new and the hammers needed shaping and a little regulation and > > voicing, > > after which I could not believe how good this 5' 7" piano sounded. You > > won't > > hear any praising of a 40 year old Petrof like that. I would not want to > > buy > > a piano I "thought" was getting "better" in comparison to one that has > > lead > > the industry for decades. > > > > I could go on and on but I would be accused of having a bias. ( by the > > way > > thanks Yamaha for the trip to Japan last year to see the factory, that was > > > > great! ) > > > > I am a self proclaimed Yamaha lover and a tech/salesman of same said > > product. > > That, however, does not change the facts that Yamaha is still and will > > remain for some time the undisputed leader in the price range you speak > > of. > > > > One mans opinion, > > > > Ed Tomlinson > > Touchstone Award winner > David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA ilvey@jps.net
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