Disklavier

Good afternoon, everyone.

In a message dated 10/18/02 12:29:30 PM, Park writes:

<< As you can tell from my previous posts, I will be buying a new 
DC7a. Does anyone have suggestions for me while I shop? I seem to 
remember that a purchase should come with 2 tunings. I've read that a 
new piano should be tuned at least 4 times the first year. By chance, 
has the amount of tunings that are supplied with a purhase gone up?
I've also seen that some people have received a bench with their 
purchase. Is this common place? Any other comments or suggestions? >>

New Yamaha pianos always come with benches.

Free tunings are a negotiable items. Yamaha does have a service bond program 
that includes an on-site visit from a tuner/technician within the first month 
of delivery and then a second visit six months later. Some dealers 
participate in this program. Many dealers do not.

I suggest that you negotiate, at the very least, a complete preparation, 
tuning, and Disklavier system calibration in the store, just prior to 
delivery and then the complete service bond tuning and Disklavier calibration 
in your home within 6 months. If you are more finicky, you might want to 
negotiate for a tuning and Disklavier system calibration in your home shortly 
after the delivery in addition to the 6-month service.

As far as on-going service is concerned, it is my opinion that you should 
request a Disklavier service with each tuning. This service includes pedal 
adjustment, keyboard calibration and measurement, and sensor adjustment. 
Assuming that there are no problems with the instrument, this should add 
about 30 minutes to the technician's visit. Although prices may vary, a good 
ball-park guess is that a Disklavier service that I have described will add 
50% to the cost of the tuning.

In a message dated 10/18/02 12:31:06 PM, Park writes:

<< I would prefer to purchase out of state to avoid the tax. >>

Unless you live near a border, your desire to purchase from out of state 
conflicts with your interest in getting multiple free tunings. Tunings, 
including travel time, cost a dealer money. Distance adds to the cost. 
Somewhere, the dealer has to make up those costs, either in a direct charge 
to you or in the marked-up cost of the instrument.

In the case of a Disklavier purchase, having regular tuning and Disklavier 
service from a Disklavier-qualified technician (who is also a tuner) is a 
good idea. A good dealer who is reasonably close to your location should be 
able to provide these services. Independent technicians may be able to supply 
them as well. If you purchase your instrument from a distant dealer, it is 
impractical to rely on that dealer to help you if any serious issues arise.

Regards,
PianoBench