Judging from the posts that I have read on this List over time, and Yamaha's stance and practices regarding this issue, it appears clear to me that Yamahas manufactured for the North American market do well in most all North American locations. The grey market pianos appear to do well in humid locations, such as here if Florida. RARELY do we see a relative humidity in a home of less than 40%. All the negative statements I have heard from North American piano technicians are those that live in New Mexico (the dry southwest), and places that get real cold in winter (humidity is low, and then the heat goes on!) where home relative humidities get real low. I recently put a Damp-Chaser dehumidifier system on a grey market Yamaha C3 (1970 something) in excellent condition. Piano has been in Florida for at least a long time. Really, really, nice piano. I told her all about the grey market stuff (I did the pre-purchase inspection for her). She and her husband are military and move every few years. When I put the system on, I purposely left a central location for the humidifier tank installation for when they move (she thought they may be headed for North Dakota next). She wanted me to install the tank (even if they don't use it in Florida), and I told her to have a qualified tech in Drydom, USA install it when they get there (I have never installed one!). I should think it wise to be sure to have a good full Damp-Chaser installation on any of these grey market jobs in a dry location - full back cover (or undercover on a grand), etc. Terry Farrell Piano Tuning & Service Tampa, Florida mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Musselwhite" <john@musselwhite.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 1:21 PM Subject: Grey-market Yamaha U1 > At 07:52 AM 2/6/2001 -0500, Terry wrote: > > >Dreaded by whom? Besides Yamaha (digging into new Yamaha piano sales is > >their dread!)? > > Dreaded by most of us here on the Eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies at > least. They might be fine in some places, but here they are invariably worn > out with flat boards and sold as "ten year old pianos" when they're 35. > > How do you explain to a customer that they spent 75% of the cost of a new > piano on something that Yamaha won't even recognize? How do you explain > that you can't voice that thin sound out or that you have to replace parts > to get it to play properly? How do you explain to them why it won't stay > in tune or regulation when their neighbour's used Yamaha grand is perfectly > all right? > > I'd rather not have to try to explain these things, especially if there's a > dealer involved as well. > > John > > John Musselwhite, RPT - Calgary, Alberta Canada > http://www.musselwhite.com http://canadianpianopage.com/calgary > email: john@musselwhite.com http://www.mp3.com/fatbottom > >
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