U.S. Piano Industry - RIP???

[Corno Dolce]

Well folks - its looking pretty grim:

http://mises.org/story/3253

[Krummhorn]

It's true ... but we, as a country, have only ourselves to blame, at least in my way of thinking. The US factory worker keeps demanding higher wages and those costs are passed on to the consumer. A vicious non ending cycle that will keep prices spiraling upward for years to come.

But what is driving up these costs of new pianos that people can't afford anymore? It's got to be the cost of labor ... I loathe the labor unions that say "we're gonna get that raise or we'll strike and shut the company down!" Gee, that accomplishes a lot - with the company shut down, now the workers won't even earn what they were making before the strike ... not to mention all the wages they lost while on strike. I'm all for workers making a decent wage, but when we are paying someone up to $36.50 per hour to mount bolts into door hinges on the auto assembly line, something is seriously wrong. The Amercan worker themselves ARE sending their work overseas - we are working ourselves right out of work, but the unions refuse to look at the big picture.

Back to pianos: When I was searching for a piano in the early 80's (I always take at least 6 months for research before I buy anything major) I had looked at every American builders piano - Having worked for some years in a piano/organ retail operation I knew which ones to avoid ... I won't mention brands as there are some who believe that some brands on my 'do not buy' list are the greatest pianos on earth .

After several months, I had narrowed my choice down to 3 pianos, then a couple months later narrowed to 2: Sohmer, and Young Chang. I walked into the music store and asked to have those two pianos moved into a practice room in the rear of the store. They were happy to oblige and I spent almost 2 hours, alone, playing each one individually, and then comparing note for note. I based my final choice solely on sound quality, overall workmanship (inside and out), and how the action felt. It was a tough decision as whichever piano I chose would be with me for the rest of my life.

Oh, I chose the Young Chang - bought it new in 1984 and still love playing it as much today as I did that day in the practice room - it's sound quality hasn't changed one bit in over 24 years, and I owe part of that to having it tuned and looked after at least once a year.

End point ... there are still some very fine American piano manufacturers in existence, and although some internal parts may be assembled in foreign countries, the piano itself is still put together in a shop here in the states, and that will always be food for the economy here.

[Corno Dolce]

Wow! GrandMaster Krummhorn - You da man - I couldn't have stated better what you have written - BRAVO!!!

If I go to a gig where only piano is required and where I know there is no grand piano of quality then my Yamaha CP 300 keyboard and a custom amp/speaker system comes with me to the site. I am quite finicky about pianos these days. I'm not familiar with the make of piano you have but if there is no Bösendorfer, Steinway, Fazioli, Bechstein, or Yamaha Grand then what I bring will do the trick.

Cheerio,

CD

[Krummhorn]

Thanks for the accolades, CD.

Wikipedia has this about the Young Chang piano. I have the U-121 Professional model - stands 48" tall. Although no longer made, its tone and action even after 24+ years is excellent. Unfortunately it takes 3 men and a small boy to move it, so it doesn't travel with me.

Your Yamaha CP 300 is quite the unit ... nice .

[Corno Dolce]

Thanks GrandMaster Krummhorn - Some will needle me for using an electronic but since I have in the past put up with so much crap for pianos that were never tuned or maintained I reasoned that *enough is enough*, so, a digi fills in when the resources are lacking.

Humbly,

CD