Recent

18 Leaders From Music Products Industry to Attend 2025 Women of NAMM Leadership Summit

August 29, 2025

BOSS Introduces PX-1 Plugout FX

August 29, 2025

Bad Cat Introduces the Ocelot — Small Amp. Big Attitude. Total Control.

August 27, 2025

2025 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards Nominations – Ballot Closes 9/5!

August 22, 2025
Paul Reed Smith and Governor Wes Moore: photo credit Stephanie Lemus/PRS Guitars

Paul Reed Smith Day Declared by Maryland Governor Wes Moore

August 22, 2025

Timeless Elegance Meets Modern Performance: Introducing The ADJ Vintage Bar

August 22, 2025

Slingerland Launches Radio King and Studio King Outfits, Plus Spare Parts

August 22, 2025

Seattle Cascades Now a Fully Powered KHS America Drum & Bugle Corps

August 22, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
  • Contact
MMR Magazine
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
MMR Magazine
No Result
View All Result

The Oyster and Its Pearl – Hailun and The Hailun Grand 178

Christian Wissmuller by Christian Wissmuller
October 1, 2015
in Features
0
939
SHARES
2.3k
VIEWS
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

Precision. When asked, Basilios Strmec, President and Owner, explains that if there’s one thing that Hailun excels at above all others, it’s the ability to make parts that fit perfectly.

“Hailun is the only piano I know where you can take a complete piano action from one piano and insert it into another and start playing,” he says. “Such precision is incredibly difficult to achieve when you work with engineered woodparts. But Hailun has done it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Hailun was founded by Mr. Chen Hailun, who for many years was solely in the business of supplying parts for piano manufacturers. He then decided to try building pianos himself. “The pivotal point was that he went directly to Europe- to Vienna, Austria- to tap into the European sound tradition for design and expertise,” Strmec explains. “Hailun is the only Asian piano that is dedicated to what is commonly called the Viennese sound tradition. The company grew rapidly with an exceptionally successful IPO some two years ago on the Shenzen stock exchange. Now we focus on further technology improvements and product developments.”

In terms of improvements, Hailun in August of 2015 purchased the global patent rights to the Magic Lid technology, which is a proprietary safety system for the grand piano lid. “Starting this September this safety technology will be on all Hailun pianos worldwide- adding to Hailun’s core musical strength also a safety and convenience factor for families, female buyers, and those for whom the grand piano lid is a little to heavy to lift,” he says. “The Magic Lid technology allows the grand piano lid to be lifted with a finger and closed without any effort.” In terms of developments, the Emerson pianos are currently being introduced into the market. “The instruments will have a vast array of unique and original technology and, we expect, set a new standard for the customer,” says Strmec. “Some have expressed doubts that customers will be willing to pay $40,000 to $ 50,000 for a Chinese sourced piano, but our experience indicates that customers respond to real innovation and quality.”

It’s innovation that keeps Hailun thriving in a market saturated with a multitude of options. “The piano market in the U.S. is healthier than ever before,” Strmec says. “Just not for newly manufactured products. We are competing with used pianos that have been very well maintained. Just do a Craigslist search in the two counties next to Broward County in Florida. There are 22,000 listing for pianos in that market alone. For Hailun this means having pianos that have features and specifications that are new, are unique, and are a step forward. That is what the market is looking for.”

But innovation isn’t the only thing Hailun attributes its success to. It’s truly a team effort. “The key for Hailun was always its ability to bring together a wide variety of experts from across the world,” says Strmec. “From Europe, Peter Veletzky, a 5th generation piano builder and owner of Wendl & Lung Pianos, was the first to join the team. In a cooperating move he provided all of his technology and know-how to Hailun; he was joined by Stephen Paulello, an incredibly gifted piano designer. In the United States, renowned designer Frank Emerson, who most recently also helped Steinway with their instruments, brought significant improvements to Hailun and designed several instruments for the company. Mr. Chen’s genius has been and continues to be his uncanny ability to bring some of the best people in the industry to cooperate and develop great product.”

The market craves new and exciting products to keep consumers engaged, and for Hailun, their customers have their eyes on the Hailun Grand 178. “The Hailun Grand 178 has become the golden classic that customers are drawn to,” explains Strmec. “Its musical versatility, along with its impressive materials and workmanship make it one of the best, if not the best value proposition in the market. Interestingly enough, demand for our silent system Genio, which gives the consumer the benefit to play the piano quietly, has surged. It is indicative that even the acoustic piano will continue to become integrated with digital technology.” The Hailun Grand 178 has won the Piano d’Or, awarded by Le Pianiste, and has received many awarded in China, among them the designation as a national treasure. “In the U.S., we have been voted three times in a row as the MMR’s Piano of the Year and were very grateful to receive such an honor,” says Strmec.

With the piano market flooded with options, Hailun relies heavily on their dealers to provide help as well in keeping sales of their instruments steady. But Strmec explains this relationship between Hailun and their dealers is mutually beneficial. You scratch their back, and they’ll scratch yours. “Service-orientation,” he begins. “We match well with stores that care about their customers and will go the second mile. Hailun is not only a product. It’s an experience and part of that is delivered by great retailers and representatives. Talk to us and we will help you become the best in your market.”

Strmec says it takes many to keep the piano industry thriving, and thanks all who have been instrumental in that process. “Special thanks to MMR, NAMM, the Piano Technician’s Guild, for helping create and sustain our industry,” he says.”

Previous Post

Guess Who’s Back? – KORG Reissues the ARP Odyssey

Next Post

2016 NAMM Show Prepares For Largest Global Presence In Show’s History

Related Posts

Features

Stringjoy – ‘We Ended Up Finding a Lot of Ways to Make Strings Better’

August 9, 2023
Features

’NAMM’s Job is to Serve the Industry’ – NAMM CEO and President John Mlynczak

June 7, 2023
Features

The Changing Face of the Bay Area – Northern California MI Businesses Reflect on Benefits and Challenges to Operating in the Region

May 3, 2023
Photo Credit – Sean Varga
Features

Dan Michie Gets Colorful for Falling in Reverse at Filmore with CHAUVET Professional

March 25, 2022
Features

Rene Garcia and Chris Fernandez Call on CHAUVET Professional and 4Wall at Premio Lo Nuestro

March 1, 2022
Features

Lightswitch Evokes Magic of Machu Picchu With CHAUVET Professional

February 4, 2022
Next Post

2016 NAMM Show Prepares For Largest Global Presence In Show’s History

Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Generous Donor Helps The Shepherd’s House Church Achieve a Major Upgrade with QSC

October 8, 2020

Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff Pi

July 14, 2014

Bad Cat Introduces the Ocelot — Small Amp. Big Attitude. Total Control.

August 27, 2025
C Cardenas (Music 4 Life), Kat Witten (Music 4 Life), Mark Maxwell (co-owner Maxwell's House of Music), Whitney McNicol (co-owner, Maxwell's House of Music)

‘If You’re In A Band’ Series Sparks Partnership for Music Education Scholarship

August 8, 2025

18 Leaders From Music Products Industry to Attend 2025 Women of NAMM Leadership Summit

BOSS Introduces PX-1 Plugout FX

Bad Cat Introduces the Ocelot — Small Amp. Big Attitude. Total Control.

Paul Reed Smith and Governor Wes Moore: photo credit Stephanie Lemus/PRS Guitars

Paul Reed Smith Day Declared by Maryland Governor Wes Moore

18 Leaders From Music Products Industry to Attend 2025 Women of NAMM Leadership Summit

August 29, 2025

BOSS Introduces PX-1 Plugout FX

August 29, 2025

Bad Cat Introduces the Ocelot — Small Amp. Big Attitude. Total Control.

August 27, 2025

2025 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards Nominations – Ballot Closes 9/5!

August 22, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
The Latest News and Gear in Your Inbox - Sign Up Today!
  • August 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!

© 2005 – 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

This is Modal Title

Click Me
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?