Black Market Pianos

[Jeannie Grassi]

Terry,
All the pianos made in Japan have 3 pedals now.  It has been that way since
the late 70s.  According to LaRoy Edwards, there are different specs, not
just acclimatizing, for the US bound pianos.  I don't know the specifics on
those differences.  

jeannie


Jeannie Grassi, RPT
Registered Piano Technician
Island Piano Service
Bainbridge Island, WA
206-842-3721
mailto:jcgrassi at earthlink.net


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Farrell
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 4:55 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Black Market Pianos

Well, it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. BUT! I was under the 
distinct understanding that Yamaha (maybe others - dunno) makes at least two

"lines" of pianos that are destined for different continents. I believe the 
main difference is the two and three pedal thing and the drying of 
some/many/most wooden components of the pianos. I believe some wood in 
pianos destined for the North American market is dried to a lower moisture 
content than pianos destined for the Asian market. Of course, it seems a bit

silly to do so to me, but I thought that was the case. Does anyone have any 
authoritative knowledge on this subject?

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
Thats right, although, i wouldnt agree that any japanese manufacturer (or
any manufacturer in fact) actually makes different lines of pianos
depending on where they are going to be sold. They do however keep a
record to where the pianos were originally exported to. This discussion
was on the list a few weeks ago. It is their "marketing" attack against
their biggest (and winning) competitors: their own brand's used pianos.

Regards,

Patrick


> Tons of this is the archives. It has nothing to do with who is selling a
> used piano. It has to do with where the piano was originally sold when it
> was new. If the piano was sold in Japan when new, and now, some years
> later,
> is being resold here in North America, it is considered a grey market
> piano.
> This is certainly the case with Yamaha pianos. However, is this the case
> with Kawai? I had not heard that Kawai makes two different lines of pianos
> based on destination market. Anyone know?
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>> This sounds to me like a "grey market" piano.  As I understand it,
>> people
>> who are who are not authorized dealers buy quantities of used pianos,
>> then
>> hold a big sale, often at a university.  This practice is perfectly
>> legal,
>> and the pianos are most likely the genuine article.  However, since the
>> seller is not an authorized dealer, the manufacturer will not honor the
>> original warranty, nor will they provide replacement parts when
>> necessary.
>> I'm told Yamaha is especially strict, which makes sense to me, as they
>> must
>> protect the legitimate dealers.
>>
>> --Paul Mulik
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> Can you tell me something about black market pianos?  There is a Kawai
>> piano for sale by a church who was told it was a black market piano and
>> Kawai would not do warranty service on-obviously.  I was wondering who
>> manufactures them, do they just put a Kawai name on the piano? What kind
>> of piano are they? To my knowlege I've never had any dealings with these
>> before and am curious about the instruments.
>>
>> Joy!
>>
>> Elwood 


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