Grey Market

[jolly roger]

Hi Tony,
            Having spent time in the Yamaha factory, I can assure you that
they mfg 3 seasoned for destination pianos.
This is NOT a quality difference, but improvements for various geographical
climates and conditions.
North America pianos are dried down to a lower MC spec.  Tropical pianos,
much higher MC and added features like insect repellents, plus composite
wood products are more widely used. Makes sense to try to make a better
piano for that destination. and the problems that the piano is going to face.
The question was asked in Japan. What about Florida vs Saskatchewan?
(Extremes of dryness, and high humidity)  The answer was one grade for
North America.
The company strives to make the best product for a specific reason. And
their domination in the World market seems to have stemmed from making good
reliable pianos, with good service support all over the world.
Many of the grey market pianos that we have seen in this area, have been
exposed to the ravage's of extreme industrial pollution.  Just breath the
diesel fumes on the Tokyo streets on a damp day, and you will soon
understand where some of the problems stem from.
Strings and action centres on these pianos showed problems that we never
see in domestic used pianos.
I purchased 3 grands and stored them for 12 months. All 3 had to be rebuilt
before they could be sold.
Trust me it was an expensive lesson.
In fairness when the pianos arrived, they were obviously maintained by
competant technicians. but the actions were worn out from heavy use. This I
expected. The small pressure ridges that were evident on reciept, soon
turned to significant cracks in winter.
Again not hearsay but personal experience.
I have no doubt that these pianos may stand up quite well in the higher
humidity regions of this continent.
But I will bet that there is some nasty suprises building up if you live in
the corn belt.
Yes, the sales departments are scrambling to stem the competition. And I
have no doubt there is a lot of grey truth thrown around on the sales floor.
It is quite possible that new Zealand has the same zonal spec as Japan.
That's good news for down under.
Nothing to worry about. In fact given your climate it's a probability.

In fairness to all I am a Yamaha and Baldwin piano dealer, but I don't
think my opinion is clouded.
My brain maybe.
See ya in Oct, 
Roger




At 09:37 PM 2/7/01 +0930, you wrote:
>Keith, Brian and List
>
>There is nothing worse than believing what you read in SALES PROMOTION
>MATERIAL and saying that it is true.
>
>Keith, read between the lines, then tell me that
>1. You do not have a climatic condition somewere in the USA that is not the
>same as the Japanese climate ?
>2. That because Yamaha makes pianos specifically for the American climate
>(USA does cover Florida, Alaska and Nevada I hope) I take it that what they
>are saying is Yamaha makes THREE pianos for the American climate.
>3. Why is it that all the other piano manufacturers don't make pianos for
>different climates. Is a piano made in Europe only good in Europe. Would you
>classify a Schimmell or a Bosendorfer or a Bechstein or or or as being grey
>market pianos because they are not built for the American climate ?
>4. When Yamaha makes a statement like "THE PIANOS WE MAKE FOR THE JAPANESE
>MARKET ARE INFERIOR TO THE EXPORT PIANOS"     Then I will believe that pigs
>can fly.
>5. This grey market piano rumor was more than likely started by Yamaha USA
>or Yamaha AUSTRALIA or Yamaha whereever because the sale of these "imported"
>pianos is affecting there sales.
>
>Brian and List
>
>These pianos are in most cases pianos from pratice rooms throughout Japan.
>These practice rooms are used 24 hours per day, students book time to play
>them. They are serviced regularly and climatic conditions are maintained.
>They have just had a lot of use, and they are still good pianos. Policy
>states that these pianos are to replaced on a planned basis.
>There are also a lot of privately owned pianos included in those imported.
>The Japanese attitude is "if it is ten years old, it's old" These pianos
>have not been maintained properly nor have they been stored in the ideal
>climatic conditions so I guess you are going to get a mixed bunch.
>
>But we are piano technicians, we should know what we see, say what we can
>prove and not pass on rumor, inuendo and other BS we should know better.
>
>Flame suit time but think before you answer.
>
>Tony Caught
>Australia
>caute@optusnet.com.au
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <kam544@flash.net>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 2:58 PM
>Subject: Re: Grey Market
>
>
>> >...I have always assumed that it applies  to an item that bears the name
>> >of a certain manufacture, but has  actually been made (even under
>license)
>> >elsewhere and is often a lower quality  and cheaper item...
>> > Brian Holden
>>
>> Brian, List,
>>
>> This is not the case.  When originally manufactured, these particular
>> Yamahas being discussed were just not designed to be marketed to certain
>> parts of the world.
>>
>> Here is one of their web sites with relevant info:
>> http://www.yamaha.com/ycaservice/group004/fgrop004.htm
>> click on - What About Purchasing A Used Yamaha Piano?
>>
>> Keith McGavern
>> Registered Piano Technician
>> Oklahoma Chapter 731
>> Piano Technicians Guild
>> USA
>>
>>
>