FALL 2012 — page 194

The Definitive Guide to Buying New, Used, and Restored Pianos

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Now, along with being redesigned by Mr. Fandrich, the multiple piano lines are being consolidated into just three lines: the Young Chang Y series (models beginning with Y) and Weber W series (W) are entry-level instruments made in China, and the Albert Weber (AW) is an upper-level line made in Korea. The Albert Weber grands have maple rims and Renner actions, and higher-quality hammer felt, soundboard material, and veneers (on wood-veneer models). The Y and W series grands have lauan rims and Young Chang actions. The Albert Weber verticals use slightly better materials than the other verticals for the cabinets, hardware, music wire, and keys, though in general the differences are smaller than with the grands. In addition, the Young Chang and Weber pianos will distinctly differ from each other: the Weber and Albert Weber lines with a low-tension scale and softer hammers, and the greater warmth and romantic tonal characteristics that often accompany that type of scale; the Young Chang line with a higher-tension scale and firmer hammers, and the greater brightness and stronger projection of a more modern sound.

Quality control in Young Chang's Korean factory has improved little by little over the years, and is now nearly as good as that in Japan. Most of the problems currently encountered are minor ones that can be cured by a good dealer make-ready and a little follow-up service, and the pianos hold up well in the field, even in institutions. The Albert Weber pianos, in particular, have great musical potential and respond well to expert voicing. Pianos from the factory in China, like other pianos from that country, have been uneven in quality, but in recent years have greatly improved. Young Chang says that Hyundai Development Group has upgraded the factories in both countries, and that the pianos made at the Tianjin factory are now on a par with those made in Korea.

Young Chang also owns Kurzweil Music Systems, a manufacturer of professional keyboards and home digital pianos, which it acquired in 1990.

Warranty: New Fandrich-designed models: Young Chang and Weber — 10 years, parts and labor, to the original purchaser; Albert Weber — 15 years, parts and labor, transferable to future owners during the warranty period, plus a lifetime warranty on parts to the original owner. Older models: Young Chang Platinum Edition and Albert Weber — 15 years, parts and labor, transferable to future owners. Young Chang Professional Artist series and Weber Sovereign series — 12 years, parts and labor, to original owner. Young Chang Gold/Traditional series and Weber Legend series — 10 years, parts and labor, to original owner. Parts are further warranted for the lifetime of original owner.




























 

FALL 2012 — page 194

 

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My Other Piano is a Computer: An Introduction to Software Pianos (p. 132)

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