Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum The New Mason Hamlins

I understand that I won't be flying on any airline that uses Airbuses if I can avoid it... :p

I still think this is a misstatement. I would say "SOME M&H action parts are made in China".

Think of it this way: the Germans to this day can't launch an astronaut into space. China did.

The complexity of making piano action is child's play compared to building a space program.

As long as MH does its quality control, action from China can be as good as Renner.

OK... the former USSR has also launched astronauts into space. Name a USSR-made piano (or even just action part) that's widely recognize to be better than German-made piano (or action part).

I'm getting confused now.
Do these countries send their pianos into outer space?

If so, why?

And more importantly, do the European pianos still emphasize the fundamental when played in an atmosphere with no air?

Wasn't the Fandrich upright action designed for zero gravity? Reset springs or something?

Does it include Chinese parts?

the fandrich action is now built by renner in germany. last i heard.

Add to this that the Chinese government EXECUTED the Chinese government official who "allowed" the exports of ill repute. heck of a country! Let's support them as much as we can.

Sorry I am late to this, but I think I know what Norbert is saying. Here's an example: my brother has a factory in China (I won't say where exactly, to protect the innocent!) that makes parts for BMW and Mercedes Benz. Their quality requirements are so high that if even one part in a shipment is out of spec, the whole shipment gets sent back.

There are indeed manufacturers in China who have extraordinary precision manufacturing capability. All the parts in an action are machined, then finished by hand. There are no mysterious or arcane incantations that one needs to know to do this. If a Chinese manufacturer can make an action from the same carefully selected lumber used by Renner, to the same or better precision than Renner, then I don't see why they can't last as long as a Renner action, or perform as well or better.

Yes there are dodgy manufacturers in China, as there are in any country you care to name. But don't tar the whole lot with the same brush.

If M&H was demoted because of the use of Chinese parts in the action then I think the demotion was done for the wrong reason.

So M&H by using Chinese parts now makes pianos of equal or higher quality than previously, makes them cheaper to build, thereby benefiting both the manufacturer and dealers, and also continues to increase list prices. Sounds like a great business plan to me.

Rich

Bingo!

Think of how much margin Apple makes on its products (made in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore...)?

Does anyone know if any other parts in M&H pianos besides some of the action parts are manufactured in China?

Plates

But the Renner employees have been known to bring in Chinese takeout food on occasion.

ok, mdsdurango has pressed my button in referring to the repressive nature of the chinese government.

should we be so enthusiastic and so deeply enmeshed in business with a country that has so little regard for free speech and freedom of expression?

are we so eager to stock our walmarts, and obtain quality pianos at a better price point, that we are willing to overlook who we are dealing with?

i'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to wanting products that i can afford. but i have some obligation here. the wages in china are going up, and that is a good thing. but it seems to me that the allure of the chinese business model is obscuring the problems with their government model. I recall awhile back one of our internet search engine companies was willing to limit what chinese citizens could search for in exchange for the opportunity to do business there.

the productivity rate there has been incredible, but at what costs to their citizens. the ny times recently had extensive reporting on such costs as terrible pollution and the depletion of groundwater.

forgive my rant, but it seems to me these things should be talked about more. maybe not here.

Remember whem Wal-Mart used to tout their pride with the "Made in the USA" promotions? I liked that. I want that back.

So it's okay to support Japan, Korea, Indonesia, etc... but not China? Did you guys beat up the new kid in school as well or just until he proved he could fight back. China will win this fight and are no worse than when the Japansese were doing the same thing many years ago and now we all seem to love them.

If you want exclusively 'made in the good old USA', go to a Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army store.

I. Bruton, maybe you can start getting "that back" by giving away your two Yamaha pianos...

The reality is that nobody today can honestly not buy something made overseas even if they wanted to. It would be too expensive, too inconvenient, and too frustrating.

Because some people can read between the lines and 'get it'.

Kenny,you need to come with me to famous Erlangen beerfest 'Kerwa' to lighten up.

What will you be doing if you get a *hint* there by the girls, whispering "unintelligable stuff into your ears" - then don't get it?

Insider tip: they wanted to buy a beer for you..

Norbert