Kit, Thanks for the great input. A couple of questions to clarify some points: Kit Cleworth <kitster@ptialaska.net> wrote: >> Over the last 5 years I have brought in two grands (Yamaha G3s) and about 5 uprights which were gray market. I sold them here in Fairbanks Alaska. Fairbanks is extremely dry in the winter. Needless to say, I sell lots of Dammp-Chasers. << Not knowing your part of the world, would you consider your area to be in the extreme zone of piano environments? (The reason I ask is my only reference to what your environment may be like is staying in ski lodges where after a week of the combination of dry atmosphere and heaters turned up to melting point I feel totally dehydrated). >> The grands both suffered significant problems. Cracked soundboards, loose pins, etc. The pianos would probably be considered in grade B condition by the wholesaler. Several other clients of mine own US-sold Yamaha and Kawai grands. There are very few similar problems with these pianos, even those that have been here 15-20 years. << Did the problem 'grey market' grands have Dammp-Chasers fitted? Do the US sold Yamahas and Kawais that hold up well have Dammp-Chasers fitted or do they survive OK without a climate control system? >> My experience with the uprights is a little different. I bought gray-market Yamaha U-1s and U-3s, and several others (including a Wurlitzer console...figure that one out) Aside from obvious humidity problems such as slightly rusty strings and dull, dull sounding hammers (which responded well to light hardening) I have had no problems with them. << Any thoughts as to why the uprights held up OK but the grands didn't? Best Regards, John Email: Woodroj@syvax.email.dupont.com Telephone: 61-2-99236103 Fax: 61-2-99236099
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