Pianotech

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

It has been quite a while since that has been the case. 

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

It has been quite a while since that has been the case. 

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

Not sure about stemming the tide or their reasons. My suspicion is it was too much bandwidth to administer and with COVID and their rise in parts prices it just made sense to do away with it.

D

It has been quite a while since that has been the case. 

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

This policy goes back WAY before covid...decades.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2023 08:48
From: David Brown
Subject: Cracked sound board

Not sure about stemming the tide or their reasons. My suspicion is it was too much bandwidth to administer and with COVID and their rise in parts prices it just made sense to do away with it.

D

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2023 12:09
From: Mark Schecter
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/22/2023 11:08:00 AM
From: David Brown
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

It has been quite a while since that has been the case. 

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2023 10:58
From: Mark Schecter
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/21/2023 8:43:00 AM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 21:30
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 8:23:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 19:57
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 7:53:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 19:44
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 7:37:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: Cracked sound board

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH
------------------------------

Peter-

Not sure what you are replying to. I was referencing  having to give a serial number before parts purchase to confirm place of manufacture and if they would sell parts for a specific piano. According to Yamaha Parts directly, that is a thing of the past.

DB

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2023 11:33
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Cracked sound board

This policy goes back WAY before covid...decades.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2023 08:48
From: David Brown
Subject: Cracked sound board

Not sure about stemming the tide or their reasons. My suspicion is it was too much bandwidth to administer and with COVID and their rise in parts prices it just made sense to do away with it.

D

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2023 12:09
From: Mark Schecter
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/22/2023 11:08:00 AM
From: David Brown
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

It has been quite a while since that has been the case. 

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2023 10:58
From: Mark Schecter
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/21/2023 8:43:00 AM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

Yes, its important to have an expert NOT associated with the sale to examine it and advise you. 

When an owner says "refurbished", 90% of the time they have little to no idea of what was actually done. It could be as little as filing hammers and a little regulation (which is really just normal maintenance). 

Yamaha Corp. is not fond if bringing pianos over here that were intended to remain in the East. Our more extreme climate can adversely affect them over time. Be careful. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 21:30
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 8:23:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

No I'm just interested in buying a used baby grand. 

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 19:57
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 7:53:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: RE: Cracked sound board

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2023 19:44
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Cracked sound board

Original Message:
Sent: 2/20/2023 7:37:00 PM
From: Keely Croxton
Subject: Cracked sound board

------------------------------
Keely Croxton
Worthington OH
------------------------------

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

Thanks for the reply Wim! The person selling the piano was living in Japan and said the piano was refurbished there in 2003, and I think that's when they bought it.  They they moved back to the US in 2006 and brought the piano with them. Does that sound plausible?

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

That is my experience here in San Diego.  We don't usually have problems with grey market Yamahas because our humidity is normally around 45%.  But I wouldn't send one to Phoenix or the desert, or recommend them where the humidity is very low.  The store i used to work for used to sell grey market Yamahas.  In almost every case, the pins were quite on the loose side.  On one I tried using CA glue, even that did not work.  Some of the action parts were extremely dry and I had to rebuild some jack flanges that had become unglued from the wippens.  So, I agree with Stewart.  It's the dryness that causes the failures, and Yamaha does not want to extend their warrantee or accept any liability for failures.  I think that's the main reason for not offering any support.  I don't think the main reason is just to sell more new pianos.  Otherwise, they'd not offer any support or parts for used ones at all- just buy an new one.  And of course if you need action parts, just find another piano that's not grey market and use that serial number.  But any case parts missing or broken, you're outta luck. 

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

I don't believe there is any warranty issue involved as these pianos are (AFAIK) long past that point. The real issue is the consumer perception that can/will arise from seeing and hearing about Yamaha pianos falling apart...IOW "they must be junk so I'm not going to buy one". 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

That is my experience here in San Diego.  We don't usually have problems with grey market Yamahas because our humidity is normally around 45%.  But I wouldn't send one to Phoenix or the desert, or recommend them where the humidity is very low.  The store i used to work for used to sell grey market Yamahas.  In almost every case, the pins were quite on the loose side.  On one I tried using CA glue, even that did not work.  Some of the action parts were extremely dry and I had to rebuild some jack flanges that had become unglued from the wippens.  So, I agree with Stewart.  It's the dryness that causes the failures, and Yamaha does not want to extend their warrantee or accept any liability for failures.  I think that's the main reason for not offering any support.  I don't think the main reason is just to sell more new pianos.  Otherwise, they'd not offer any support or parts for used ones at all- just buy an new one.  And of course if you need action parts, just find another piano that's not grey market and use that serial number.  But any case parts missing or broken, you're outta luck. 

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

That is my experience here in San Diego.  We don't usually have problems with grey market Yamahas because our humidity is normally around 45%.  But I wouldn't send one to Phoenix or the desert, or recommend them where the humidity is very low.  The store i used to work for used to sell grey market Yamahas.  In almost every case, the pins were quite on the loose side.  On one I tried using CA glue, even that did not work.  Some of the action parts were extremely dry and I had to rebuild some jack flanges that had become unglued from the wippens.  So, I agree with Stewart.  It's the dryness that causes the failures, and Yamaha does not want to extend their warrantee or accept any liability for failures.  I think that's the main reason for not offering any support.  I don't think the main reason is just to sell more new pianos.  Otherwise, they'd not offer any support or parts for used ones at all- just buy an new one.  And of course if you need action parts, just find another piano that's not grey market and use that serial number.  But any case parts missing or broken, you're outta luck. 

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!

It's not the humidity that's the problem. It's the lack thereof. In the southwest, specifically Las Vegas and southern Utah, we can get down to 5 percent humidity. That wreaks havoc on grey market Yamahas. 

I have always been skeptical about the claim that Yamahas sold in Japan were made for a different climate. Japan itself spans different climates, the northern island getting pretty cold in the winter and the southern islands being almost tropical. They certainly must have every bit as much humidity as we do!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and information.  It gave me new insights and led me to learn a lot more.  Your replies were invaluable!