Boston and Yamaha opinions wanted

[Farrell]

Hi Don. Thanks for the reply. Interesting info. Digging further into this, are other structures like rim and belly rail materials and thicknesses the same on both pianos (for a given size)? Just what are the rims made of (species) - or does it vary? Thanks.

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donald Mannino" <donmannino@attbi.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 12:46 AM
Subject: Re: Boston and Yamaha opinions wanted


> Terry,
> 
> I meant what I said; the material _qualities_ are exactly the same, with the noted exception that Kawai uses some modern materials like ABS action parts where we feel they improve the quality of the piano, while Boston sticks to the Steinway story and uses all wood.
> 
> The RX pianos all have the vertically laminated bridge root, and the bridge cap wood and grain orientation is the same also.  This was first used by Kawai in the EX concert grand in the 80s, and was put into standard production for both Boston and Kawai RX pianos when Steinway asked that Kawai make the Bostons this way.  
> 
> With the bridge cap you will find that, depending on the relative density of the Maple supply at the time, the factory will either quarter saw or flat saw the wood.  This is a subject I have inquired about with our engineers, and the company policy applies to Boston and Kawai models.  The engineers from Japan told me that when their density of the supply of maple becomes a little lower, they quarter saw the wood.  When the density is above a certain point, they stop worrying about whether it is quarter sawn or not.  Whether or not one agrees with the policy, it applies to Boston and Kawai RX grands.  It's conceivable that the workers sometimes save the harder wood for the Kawai pianos, and that could explain your observations.  You should check more of both kinds, though.
> 
> I have seen Bostons with the angled or flat-sawn wood in the bridge caps, and I have seen lots of RX grands with quarter-sawn caps.
> 
> You should also note that Steinway NY is known for flat-sawn bridge caps as well.  It's the density that the factories feel is most critical.
> 
> Don Mannino RPT
> 
> 
> At 07:16 AM 2/20/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> 
>   Hi Don. Isn't use of the word "exactly" kinda like "always" - kinda dangerous? I am by no means any level of expert on differenctiating between the two pianos, but one thing I have noticed (I think I am recalling correctly - maybe not?) is the bridges. Is the Kawai RX a vertically laminated root? I know the Boston is, but my recollection is that the RX may be solid hard maple. Also, the hard maple cap on my Boston is well quartered, as opposed to a number of RXs I have seen that have had nearly flat sawn maple caps. I have read of other observations about the flat sawn caps.
> 
>   Am I way off base here, or is this a difference in materials?
> 
>   Also, where do I go to order a part for the sostenuto lever under the keybed for a newer BIG RX? Thanks.
> 
>   BTW, I often recommend Kawai RX series to folks inquiring about pianos. I feel they are a very good value for many buyers.
> 
>   Terry Farrell
>     
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: "Donald Mannino" <donmannino@attbi.com>
>   To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
>   Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:41 AM
>   Subject: Re: Boston and Yamaha opinions wanted
> 
> 
>   > Rob,
>   > 
>   > Although I would agree that they should buy the Kawai instead of the Boston, it is not correct to say that they are the same piano.  The designs are completely different between Kawai and Boston pianos, and playing them side by side reveals a lot about which is better designed ;-)
>   > 
>   > The material qualities are exactly the same except that there are no ABS parts in the Boston - a real negative for the longevity and stability of the action.
>   > 
>   > Don Mannino RPT
>   > (Kawai America employee)
>   > 
>   > At 07:48 PM 2/19/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>   > 
>   >   Why not buy a Kawai RX-2?  It's the same piano made in the same factory as the Boston and costs less because it doesn't say "who cares and sons" on it.  (How's that for sarcasm?)
>   >    
>   >   Rob Goodale, RPT
>   >   Las Vegas, NV
>   > 
>   >     A local school is buying a new grand piano.  The music department chair
>   >     is weighing the choice of either a Boston GP-193 or a Yamaha C3 or C5.
>   >     For any of you who know these pianos and can give an unbiased opinion,
>   >     which would you recommend?  Are there any strong or weak points of
>   >     either model that we should consider?
>   > 
>   >     You may want to respond privately.  I have never tuned or worked on a
>   >     Boston, so I'm not very well equipped to help her make the choice on
>   >     this without some input.
>   > 
>   >     Regards,
>   >     Clyde
>   _______________________________________________
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