Yamaha Damper Felt

[Clyde Hollinger]

Friends,

I hope somebody can help me make sense of this, because it bends me a little out
of shape.

Remember the Steinway ads? (For an example see the PTJournal 12-97, p. 7.)  "If
it doesn't have 12,116 genuine Steinway parts, it isn't a Steinway."  So if I
find a screw from the local hardware store in an otherwise Steinway piano, what
am I to tell the client?  "Sorry.  It says Steinway, and it looks, sounds and
plays like a Steinway, but it's not a Steinway.  It has only 12,115 genuine
Steinway parts."  I think I'm being ridiculous, and I get their point, but I
still think that ad was ill-advised.

According to Terry, the other way around is the case with Yamaha.  I now learn
that Yamaha won't sell us parts unless they are going to be used in a Yamaha
piano.  Will someone please explain to me why?  Using Yamaha felt in something
else isn't going to turn that piano into a Yamaha; we all know that.  If they
make great piano parts (and there's probably universal agreement that they do),
and someone wants to use them to improve whatever piano, why not?  Certainly
Yamaha makes a reasonable profit on their parts.  I can't see any way they will
lose by selling to whomever, for whichever piano.

So someone explain this to me, please.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Clyde Hollinger

P.S.  I suppose it is possible that the salesman Terry talked to had his own ax
to grind and was not stating company policy.

Farrell wrote:

> List, I just got off the phone with Yamaha parts. I wanted to order some
> Yamaha damper and hammer rest rail felt. He asked me what was the Yamaha
> serial number of the piano I am working on. I told him that my 1901
> Bechstein did not have a Yamaha serial number - but I could look again, just
> in case. He said he would not sell Yamaha felt for any project that did not
> have a Yamaha serial number.
>
> How do any of you get Yamaha felt. Other than the obvious. I prefer to run
> my life honestly. Any other options? Is there anyone at Yamaha that sells
> "good stuff" under the table?????
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com