Disklavier

<<Pianos undergo extreme climatic changes even within the US.>>
As we found out in 1963 when a great number of the pianos we initially imported had to be replaced or repaired as Yamaha greatly underestimated the dryness of the typical American home.  It was an expensive lesson we learned well, and have not forgotten. 

<<They didn't design a completely different Disklavier unit for Japan I don't 
believe.>>
Wrong.  Different global areas get the features the marketing people in that area request.  Also, the USA requires UL approval, which other countries don't, so the design IS different.

<<Even if it is
another model #.  I understand that the different language capabilities are a
menu choice even in the US models.>>

The default language is Japanese.  For the Japanese market, the pianos don't have the English option, and as far as I know, it can't be added.

<<I am astounded that they do not support this unit, solely from my 
observation
that it is to protect the US Yamaha dealers from any foreign competition. This
seems unethical.>>

Bull.  We don't have time to support the pianos we have information about as well, or as quickly as we would like.   How much of your time would you spend talking to callers who are phoning in to ask you about a piano you have never seen, and have no information about?  And if it started to impact your regular customers who can't get through to leave a message or talk to you?


Mark Wisner
Piano Service
Yamaha Corporation
mwisner@...