<HTML>Recently there was some discussion of the development of the quality of pianos over the last 50 years. Back in the 50's, some manufacturers were putting out a product that left a lot to be desired. When the Japanese got in the market in the 60's, those pianos were not the best quality. Then the Koreans, and lately the Chinese, Indonesians, and Russians have all produced less than good quality pianos. However, ss the level of quality improved over the years in each of these countries, other countries emerged to take up the slack, so to speak, on the lower end pianos. As I indicated, there will always be a demand for low end quality pianos. It is in the low end that most people are first acquainted, mainly because of the price. Although there is a huge used piano market out there, there are still many people who do not want to buy used, but would rather buy new, even if the quality of the new one is less than the used ones. That's human nature, I guess. But what is going to happen over the next 50 years? What country will the manufacturers turn to next, to make the low end quality pianos? My speculation is the same countries where the use of pianos will become more popluar.  Although pianos had been made in Japan before WWII, there wasn't that much demand for them. But since the 50' and 60's, demand for quality pianos became very high, and thus, the Japanese pianos became better and better. The same thing happened in Korea. Now piano playing is becoming more and more popular in China, and the quality of those pianos are getting better. I speculate that the next countries where pianos will start to be made, and used, will be Central and South America, India, and eventually Africa. What are some of your thoughts? Wim   </HTML>