Arlie, I suspect that you are discovering the general malaise many manufacturers have at the lower end of the market. While I'm not familiar with the models you get in the 'states, there is a heap of models from some highly respected makers that are either being assembled or even completely manufactured in countries like Indonesia, China, Malaysia and even the 'states. And the quality is not nice!! I am in an identical position as you in that I don't sell, and I now have to recommend the products that are built in the source nation ie if its a Japanese company....buy the Japanese produced pianos, if it's a German company.....buy the German produced pianos. This can at times be difficult to workout... but it's worth the effort. Let's face it, when we make a recommendation to a customer, our reputation is on the line each time! I have been dissappointed by the overall quality of the lower end pianos from both Kawai and Yamaha over the past few years. The pianos are being pumped out at a price and they seem to cut corners wherever they can........but by the same token their mid-range and high end pianos are still very good....probably more along the lines of what you are remembering in some of their older models. What do other think about the possibility that digital pianos may replace these low end pianos leaving the manufacturers producing only the higher end real-pianos? I see it more and more in showrooms were people are being shown el-cheapo uprights poorly set-up (because there's not enough in the margin to do so) and then compare them to a reasonable digital and of course the customer is astonished at how good these plug-in wonders are! ---------- From: "Arlie D. Rauch" <adarpub@midrivers.com> To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Exception or rule? Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 4:07 PM I have a question which affects recommendations I make for piano purchases. I do not sell pianos, but I am often asked what brands are good. One of my recommendations is Kawai. But I am wondering whether I can continue to recommend Kawai. A school nearby purchased a new Kawai studio (UST-8C, serial A89257) because they had an older Kawai studio which they loved. This new one is not of the same quality. One of the holes for a plate bolt is stripped. Some tuning pins are loose enough to remind me of a fifty-year-old piano. The fall board had to be repaired (glued together) at my first visit before the piano had even been used. The sound is less rich. There were other problems, too. Over all it reminded me of a low quality American (ouch) made piano. This Kawai has required a significant pitch raise each of its first two tunings and a tremendous amount of regulation each time. This is unlike my experience with other Kawais. And the music teacher is not happy with this one. So, is this an exception or the rule? Or is there a certain line of Kawais one should avoid? What's been your experience? Arlie Arlie D. Rauch Glendive, MT If you have nothing better to do, check out http://members.tripod.com/~Turbooster/. You'll be glad you did.
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