Yamaha pianos

[Tom Cole]

David Love wrote:
> 
> Anybody have any information on the difference between Yamaha pianos built
> in Japan for Japanese distribution versus ones for US distribution.  I have
> a customer looking at a U1, 15 years old that falls into the made for
> Japanese distribution category.  It has only two pedals, otherwise there is
> not obvious difference.
> 
David,

The main thing I would consider is what kind of environment is the piano
going to be in? The Japanese climate is on the damp side and the pianos
made for that market do not need to be prepared for the dryness
experienced by so much of the US. 

I live on the Pacific coast where the humidity level is very similar to
Japan's and none of the gray market Yamahas that I've seen have had any
soundboard or pinblock problems. However, you might very well have a
problem in other areas of the country from what I've read on this list
(check the archives).

Tom Cole
Santa Cruz, CA
mailto:tcole@cruzio.com