Grey Market

[Anthony G Caught]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for the info, I thought it was for three climatic conditions. I
queried Yamaha on this point at one stage about a Yamaha CF model.  The
piano is in Alice Springs (the centre of Australia) where humidity can be
very low, MC in pine gets down to 5%.  The Answer they came back with was
that the tuning pank was dried to 12%MC and the soundboard to 8%MC.  This
was by phone conversation. I would love to see in writing from Yamaha
exactly what the differences are.

A lot of pianos were also imported from Endland to Australia in the past
also covered with industrial smog (how can people live in it ?) these pianos
also broke down after being in Australia for some years.  Sometimes I think
it is not the manufacturered MC's that count as the MC's the piano is
subected to in the next ten years. (Of seasoning)

I have been told by one importer of these pianos that you have to go to Japn
and pick the pianos out for yourself, the dealers or not to be trusted.
(And he was Korean.)

And as you say, they pick out one climatic condition to cover all of
America. If all the Yamaha pianos where made in Japan I bet that they would
be sending all three types to the USA to cover the areas that they suite.
But because they are assembled in the USA for USA consumption, there is only
1 type.

Business is business. That we understand, but we are supposed to be
technicians who know all the ins and outs on the subject. And how much do we
know. ?

See ya in October ?  Coming to Darwin to see the crocodiles are you ?

Regards

Tony Caught
Australia
caute@optusnet.com.au

----- Original Message -----
From: jolly roger <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 1:46 AM
Subject: Re: Grey Market


> 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
>
>
>
>