Disklavier

Yamaha supports with parts ALL the models of
Disklaviers they have ever marketed over the 20 years
they have been available. There is a consistent quality
and service is available anywhere.

PianoDisc is a nice system, but gives you nothing more
than a Disklavier - even less.  The Record doesn't work
as well.  There is no Silent system.  It only plays
MIDI format 0.  I doubt the 128+ has as many MIDI
voices and the 128 circuit boards have been around a
long, long, long time.  I remember the first PianoDisc
system - the PD32.  They just laugh at you now if you
need parts, and strongly suggest the entire PianoDisc
system be upgraded to the 128.  Cost is at least $5000.

The biggest problem with PianoDisc is a service issue.
Technicians are reluctant to service someone else's
"installation".  These system are notorious for NOT
being properly installed - especially the pedal
solenoids.  Because PianoDisc is designed to be a
retrofit, often major redesign of the pedal system
(trapwork) is necessary.  The pedal solenoids are
offset so the pedals never feel right on your foot.
The Disklavier is a factory-only installation the the
pedal solenoids are an "in-line" design.

As a piano technician I have no complaints with either
the Kawai RX-1 piano, or the PianoDisc system.
However, that package is no comparison to the quality
and value of a Yamaha Disklavier and the warranty and
service that comes with it.  Show the Yamaha dealer
what money will buy from the supposed competition and
see what happens.  Just make sure you know what
features you are NOT getting should you pass up the
Disklavier!

Carol Beigel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Hutton" <e.hutton@...>
To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 11:21 PM
Subject: [disklavier] PianoDisc versus Disklavier


>
>   I'm very impressed with the Disklavier systems from
Yamaha (DC1 and
> DC2). Unfortunately one dealer has my state locked up
for Yamaha.
> Since there is no competition in this state, I was
more or less
> forced to give careful consideration to other brands.
>
>   I've been looking at an Kawai RX-1 with PianoDics's
PDS-128+.
> Tonight I did a pretty extensive test drive of the
RX-1 complete with
> laptop and midi applications. I like the touch and
sound of the
> piano. The PDS-128+ seems to work well and it
certainly is a nice
> player piano. The midi functions worked but weren't
intuitively easy
> like some of the newer digital pianos. Still all in
all it seems
> quite workable.
>
>   Anyone have experience with both systems who can
offer a compelling
> reason why I should buy Yamaha? The Kawai dealer
comes across much
> more straight forward. I've also received very
positive testimonials
> from local musicians on the Kawai dealer. And so far
he has tried no
> negative selling, no scare stories, just a very
honest appraisal of
> the market and his wares.
>
>   So while I very much like the Yamaha products. I
don't like the
> state wide monopoly. The Kawai products with PDS seem
similar and I
> can get multiple quotes in state with local service.
>
>   Any truly compelling reason to go with Yamaha
(which I think is a
> fine product)?