Old Chestnut "Bootleg Pianos"

[Tom Cole]

Robin Stevens wrote:
> 
> HI List.
> In Australia, we are being bombarded with these reject Pianos from Japan
> which is causing no end of problems for the Tuners & consumers.

Reminds me of a time, 15 or 20 years ago, when US antique dealers were
bringing over old British birdcages and selling them to unsuspecting
buyers. I had to don my priestly robes and administer last rites on a
number of occasions. Eventually, people wised up and/or the supply dried
up after several years. 

> I am very interested in any opinions of fellow tuners re identification of
> these misfit pianos.

I believe the telltale plastic holder attached inside the bass rim is
for the service card. There is a similar device inside the domestic
Japanese uprights. I've seen that the more recent model "gray market"
grands have three pedals. I don't know when they started doing that.

According to Laroy Edwards, speaking at the Feb. CA State Convention,
Yamaha pianos prepared for the Japanese market are built with wood that
has been dried to 10 - 12% EMC. The wood in pianos bound for the US
(and, I presume, other arid lands, like Australia), however, is dried to
6 - 8% EMC. It is therefore fitting that you call them "misfit" pianos
in this case.

Tom

-- 
Thomas A. Cole, RPT
Santa Cruz, CA
mailto:tcole@cruzio.com