Disklavier

Hi Bob,

If you've already seen the attachment (a recent response to someone else's
similar query), I apologize.  It's my best advice for negotiating the best
deal.  There is enough money involved so that it may be worth your visiting a
few dealers around the country.

Sales people who know their stuff should be able to recite the Yamaha's
warranty.

My RPT (piano technician) has had about 20 years experience in servicing
Yamahas.  He has never seen the warranty in writing, but from his experience in
dealing with Yamaha, here are the terms:

For 10 years, the structural integrity of the piano is covered for manufacturing
defects.  That would not include, for example, damage through owner neglect such
as a cracked soundboard from failure to humidify.

For 5 years, Disklavier parts (but not labor).

For 1 year, all parts and labor.

He confirmed that Yamaha's factory warranty applies only to the original owner. 
However, Yamaha has an outstanding reputation for being supportive of any owner.

Regarding your concerns about obsolescence . . . Of course, "something better"
is always going to come along.  The significance, I believe, depends upon what
you're going to do with your Disklavier.  At the risk of sounding snobbish, it
depends upon whether you are primarily going to play and record piano or whether
you mostly want to play a Disklavier like a jukebox for entertainment.  For
those who value a fine playing piano, the DC series are superb grands with a
wonderful touch, capable of a rich sound, and will last for years.  (You will
probably want to have a tech do some voicing work on a new one.)  For recording
and reproducing solo piano, the Mark II performs quite well, although I doubt
that you can find a new one.  The Mark III series, that is the DCxA, also
records and reproduces--supposedly a little more accurately than the Mark II. 
The most superior instrument for dynamic range and accuracy in
recording/reproducing is the Pro.  My point is that the piano itself should
serve you well for the rest of your life.  The parts that will grow obsolete
fastest, I believe, are the synths and CD player portions.  In my personal view,
those are useless chrome; the piano and the solo piano recording/reproducing
portions will be viable for years.  For those who must have the latest and
loudest sound system--likely non-musicians who don't read a note--any
Disklavier, including the latest, will probably lose its luster as new bells and
whistles come out.  It's hardly a secret that the goal of marketing is to sell
you your next whatever.  Just as with automobiles and TVs, that means that
Yamaha's life blood depends upon one day convincing you that what you own is
obsolete.

Good luck and happy shopping!
-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska