Flutes made in China? 18:48 on Tuesday, November 27, 2007
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I wanted to tell the members of the forum something that I found rather disturbing.
This comes from a Yamaha "rep".
Starting in 2008 Yamaha flutes will be made/assembled in China?
No "slam" against the Chinese --- but the Japanese have been making marvelous flutes since the early 1900s'. The Chinese are new at it.
I was, in fact, told to make sure that I bought a Yamaha made and assembled in Japan/Us, in 2007 and not later?
I'm a little confused. Possibly someone has feed-back on this issue. Also, Haynes, of all companies, has transferred their factory to China? Yes, they still make flutes in Boston --- but they are transferring the manufacturing and assembly of their (particular model) flutes to China?
It's all to do with quality control, not country of origin really.
Current student Yamaha clarinets are made in Indonesia. No problem so far that I have noticed.
Yamaha are one of the world's biggest industrial robot makers. A flute made by robots in China will be the same as a flute made by the same robots in Japan, given the same materials an programming.
Well taught adjustment technicians can spend more time on each instrument in China, and still paid a lot less than in Japan.
Yamaha are likely to teach them well. A lot of other Yamaha instruments are already made in China.
Actually, the Yamaha flutes are being made either in Indonesia or Japan. Instead of the assembly being done in the US of the 200 to 600 series, the 200, 300 and 400 are being made in Yamaha Indonesia factory. Everything else is from the Yamaha Japan factory. I got this from one of the Yamaha techs who was relocating to California, where the new pro shop is going to be.
Re: Flutes made in China? 11:49 on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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Yes, Dio ---- you need to have your flute checked by OSHA for lead poisoning before you touch it, if it's "made in China".
Again, no "slam" against the Chinese --- it's just that they're new to flute-making/construction/assembly, whilst the Japanese have been building marvelous instruments since the early 1900s'. I'm not afraid to touch my new Yamaha --- because I bought it at a time when the entire construction of the instrument was "made in Japan/U.S.".
Regards, Jim
<Added>
Oh, my word --- I just contradicted myself in a later "reply" to this post.
Yeah, this is not a problem with the manufacturers so much as China has zero environmental laws.
So they'll use recycled radiocative medical waste from imaging machines and mix it in with scrap steel and some silver and whatnot and send it on to the flute or auto maker who doesn't think twice about the metal.
It's the #1 reason I won't buy anything from China. You literally don't know what you are getting, an the companies flat out LIE half of the time.
ie - they say that bolt you buy at Home Depot is rated to U.S. specs, but I can snap it of with a socket wrench while the one made in Germany or the U.S. out of new steel will usually strip out the driver before it snaps off.
Indonesia isn't much better, actually. The problem with off-shoring is that the companies are very very lax with labor laws as well as quality controls.
Re: Flutes made in China? 15:44 on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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Dear Pletko:
Thanks for you feed-back and info. I actually thought "dio" was kidding --- but after reading your reply, it appears as though he or she wasn't.
I'm actually very opposed to buying anything "made in China" --- or anywhere in the Pacific Rim, for that matter, because you're right: it's all about quality control and standards.
Thus I'm terrified of getting any flute that might even be made/assembled in China, Indonesia, and on and on.
So, where do we go from here? Is it Powell --- or nothing?
(Watch --- soon they'll be opening a factory (gasp!) in China, too).
Not kidding. I was thinking of the children's toys that are being recalled, problems with pet food, and wondering about the "made in China" ceramic mug I drink from. Ceramic glaze may have lead, unless it is used for food products. Maybe we can trust most makers, but I'm concerned about the safety of products made in China.
Re: Flutes made in China? 16:25 on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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Good point, Dio.
Thanks for your feed-back. Except now, I'm afraid to go near my Yamaha. I thought you were kidding when you replied, but after reading Pletko's post --- you obviously weren't.
I think the odds are in your favor with the Yamaha, particulary since the headjoint is silver, and not plated.
I think drinking from my "made in China" mug is much riskier than you playing your flute, but I plan to continue drinking from the mug. I like to live on the edge.
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