Yamaha institutional use?

[Tcoates]

In a message dated 3/23/98 9:48:47 PM, John Minor wrote:

<<What are your opinions on using Yamaha in place of Steinway grands for
practice rooms? 

Is the cost savings worth it in the final analysis?>>

At the University of South Dakota we used to have a few Yamaha grands as part
of the Yamaha institutional loaner program.  The only problems occured with
the finish.  As these pianos were to be sold in a year's time, the finishes
didn't stand up compared to a traditional laquer finish.  As all polyester
finishes, a stratch/chip is hard to fix.  If finish durability isn't a factor,
I'd say for the cost Yamaha is a good choice if you can't afford Steinway.
Affording Steinway may also mean trying to figure what is wrong with the
instrument before it can be made into a fine instrument.

Tim Coates
University of South Dakota