I have a Yamaha G5 grand piano that was made in 1980. It is one of the "grey market" pianos that was used in Japan for many years. I selected this piano among many for it's beautiful tone quality, and I love it. However, I have recently discovered 6 cracks in the treble bridge cap. They do not affect the tone, and they do not extend into the main bridge. Also, the bridge pins continue to maintain their angles. Please tell me how concerned I should be about this situation. The piano is still under warranty for another 8 years from the dealer from whom I purchased the piano, and they would repair it for me, but it would mean being without my piano for a while, and I am a piano teacher. Should I have them repair the bridge cap, or is it unlikely to cause me problems in the future? Your advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

Can you post a SMALL picture? What part of the country do you live in?

This is one of those judgment call questions that makes a definite answer difficult. I wouldn't worry about it especially since you have another 8 years of warranty, but I can't see it, ... and it isn't my piano.

And I'm thinking in the opposite direction -- what is the disadvantage of letting the dealer know about the cracks now, and getting them repaired now? In my experience, bridge cracks never get better and often get worse -- and given that it's a dealer warranty and not a maker's warranty, I would want to take advantage of it now rather than wait. (I should say that I worked for an established dealer when I started out until without warning we all got the call, "You know the store is out of business." We didn't. The employees all ended up out of pocket, and the store guarantees for the customers evaporated. Your man is probably not like this, but I didn't think mine was either.)

The dealer might even have a loaner for you while the repair work is being done -- it's worth asking. Many dealers like staying on a good foot with piano teachers.

Get it fixed now.