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Del, this is all very good news for Young Chang, for their dealers and prospective dealers, and for consumers.

Corporate culture is established at the top. Saw a statement by the CEO, B. J. Park, to the effect that YC must change everything and do suspect that he was the guy who decided to put the world's foremost authority on piano design on the case. That Park himself has music in his background - church choir singer - is a plus. Long term success requires commitment and passion.

Larry Fine said in his supplement that Young Chang is in a group whose QC is variable. IMO the best advice they could receive is, "Buy CNC machines and slow down."

Did you have to sell YC on product differentiation? No matter how it was done, IMO it's a good thing for consumers. Never did really like the Petrof/Weinbach approach and much prefer Steinway's Family of Pianos concept - three different tonal palettes at three different price points. (Sorry that Ronsen will not be suppying the hammers.)

Extra bracing and elimination of the tuned duplex - the former is easy to understand, but how in the world did you persuade YC to let go of that front duplex? Someone there must really respect you.

Many decry the loss of interest in acoustics, but IMO do not take sufficient note of the interest in digitals. Lots of creativity among the young is being expressed in the digital realm. There was a time when Kurzweil was a premier brand. Hope that Park can make it so, again.

Re your own pianos, I posted that the steel plates would be water cut, but was corrected by a tech! Ho, hum. Any release date?

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At the Bluthner booth...

Me / Christian / Alex Hernandez

Thanks Frank for the reports. Keep them coming!!

A wonderful innovation. Congratulations to Mason and Hamlin!!

Some guy we ran into... (recognize him?)

That's some case on this Bluthner...
(take a guess at the approx. retail)

Clearly a concept piano...

$275K +/- 50K.

Is that a poly finish?

$175K +/- 50K.

Good guess Charles.
It would be + (and a little more)

Know what this is called?

A good excuse to leave early?


j/k! Hope you had a successful trip Frank.

The view from the terrace at the NAMM show.
(Going to try the rides tomorrow/Monday)...

Sejung gives Baldwin a challenge...

Great to finally meet you and Kathy Frank, I will send you your Mr. Kawai photos soon!

Is it a new model or a rebuillt Bluthner?

The concept being no one can sneak into the room while you're playing without being seen.

hmmm..I kinda like that blue color..not so much the dolphins the blue grows on you..reminds me of Kenny Burrells Blue guitar..