Piano Buying Guide
1. The extra height of a Yamaha U3 means that it can house longer strings which result in a warmer, richer sound. The reason a concert grand sounds so amazing is largely due to the very long strings it houses. Similarly, the reason a Yamaha U3 sounds so much better than a Yamaha B1 or any other short upright piano is that the U3 has a much longer strings.
2. The larger cabinet of the Yamaha U3 also allows it to house a larger soundboard which is good for producing a richer, more resonant tone. I refer you again to concert grand pianos with their long strings and large soundboard.
3. Finally, the extra space created inside the Yamaha U3 cabinet allows it to house longer keys and a taller action which gives it a touch very close to that of a grand piano.
If you sit and play a Yamaha U3 next to a Yamaha U1 you can feel this difference. A U1 can feel a little bit “shallow” to touch compared with the deeper, smoother, more comfortably balanced touch of the Yamaha U3. Technicians and pianists alike comment on the better level of control you can achieve with the U3 action compared with the U1.
Other than that, they are equal. The build quality and component quality is just as good. The U1 is not a small piano so it does still have a good, rich tone, just not quite as rich as the U3. So if your budget will stretch I recommend the Yamaha U3.
Some of our U3 pianos are bright, some are medium and some are mellow. This is mainly down to the soundboards being unique from one piano to the next. The job of the soundboard is to amplify the vibrations from the strings and so each different soundboard gives each piano it’s own unique “voice”. However, when it comes to the Yamaha U1 pianos, they seem to have a much more consistent tone, there is less variation between bright and mellow.
How to activate the practise pedal
Thankfully, you don’t need to keep your foot pressed on the middle pedal during playing. You can instead just press the pedal to the floor and then slide your foot to the left and lock it into place. That way your feet are free to use the other 2 pedals as you would normally. Very clever isn’t it?
How does it dampen the sound?
It is a very (very) simple process. When you press the pedal down, a long thin strip of felt is lowered in between the hammers and the strings so that when you press a key the hammer does not have a direct contact with the string, it has to strike through the felt instead. This creates a much mellower and quieter tone. I would estimate that the volume drops to around half of the normal volume which means you can easily have a conversation in the same room as the piano without raising your voice. Excellent!
So here is a little run down of each different sub-model:
Yamaha U1E
Yamaha U1F
Yamaha U1G
Yamaha U1H
Yamaha U1M
Yamaha U1A
Width: 60in / 151cm
Depth: 24in / 61.5cm
From floor to keyboard: 24in and 1/16th / 61.2cm
If you want to know if a Yamaha U1 will fit into your house/flat then please make a cardboard cutout using the below diagram. Then slide the cardboard along the floor and if you can get it around all of your tight corners without touching the walls then it will definitely fit. If it doesn’t fit one way, flip it over and try the other way. A Yamaha U1 will normally fit around even the very tightest of corners once it is laid on it’s side in this way. It doesn’t cause any damage if you use a professional piano mov
Width: 60.5in / 153.5cm
Depth: 25.5in / 65cm
From floor to keyboard: 24.5in / 62.2cm
Here is a side view of a Yamaha U3 piano. If you want to know if a Yamaha U3 will fit into your house/flat then please make a cardboard cutout using the below diagram. Then slide the cardboard along the floor and if you can get it around all of your tight corners without touching the walls then it will definitely fit. If it doesn’t fit one way, flip it over and try the other way. A Yamaha U3 piano will normally fit around even the very tightest of corners once it is laid on it’s side in this way. It doesn’t cause any damage if you use a professional piano mover.
I’ve gone a bit off topic there so just to confirm, YES all of my Yamaha U1 pianos in stock were made in Japan but many of the more recent brand new U1s being sold in the UK (and all over the world) were not made in Japan.
Summary: As far as I know, every single Yamaha U3 piano that has ever been made has come directly from the premium quality Yamaha factory in Hamamatsu, towards the South West region of Japan. I believe even the brand new Yamaha U3 pianos are still being made in this same factory. So as long as you can find a professionally reconditioned U3 then you can be sure of getting a top quality piano.
Well I hope that summary helped, I’ll now waffle a bit about the wider aspects of the question. There was a time when you’d look at a Yamaha and think “Japanese”, you’d like at a Kemble and think “British” or maybe you’d look at a Bechstein and think “German”. But things have changed. The massively popular Yamaha B1 upright is made in Indonesia, Kemble pianos are now made in Indonesia and even Steinway have a range of pianos being made in China. So you have to dig a little deeper under the surface these days to find out where each make & model of piano is made.
Germany, America and Japan make some of the the best pianos today and if possible stick to those countires with the best reputation for piano manufacture. Yamaha manage to combine the highest manufacturing standards with some sensible prices too which is why they are so popular. As for the Chinese and Indonesian pianos I’d say they are a long way off being suitable for any serious or ambitious player or for anyone who wants to sit down and hear a nice tone coming back from the piano.
To sum up, YES the Yamaha U3 is made in Japan and for the best combination of quality and value for money a properly reconditioned Yamaha U3 or U1 is a very popular option at the moment. See my stocklist above to see what I’ve got in stock.
While there is really no standardized classification system for used Steinway pianos, there are six general categories:
Original: An original used Steinway has never had any parts replaced since manufacturing. The piano is entirely original and has only been serviced and original parts repaired. These pianos are usually less than 20 years old.
Repaired: A repaired Steinway is in playable condition. Some parts have been repaired but none of the major components were replaced. Depending on their age, some repaired pianos may need major components serviced or replaced in the near future.
Rebuilt: A rebuilt Steinway has had all its original components serviced and rebuilt to their original condition. The soundboard, bridges, and action parts are the most common major components that need rebuilt in a piano.
Factory-restored: A factory restored Steinway was serviced by the Steinway Restoration Center in New York City. All the repairs and replacements are genuine Steinway parts.
Heirloom Collection: These pianos are completely refurbished with genuine Steinway parts and labor, usually at the Steinway facilities. Heirloom Steinways come with the same 5-year warranty and a certificate of authenticity as new Steinway and Sons pianos.
Shell: This is a used Steinway that has not been serviced or restored. Shells are not usually in playing condition and show significant signs of neglect, damage, or compromise.
Steinway Piano Evaluating a used Steinway
For the purposes of valuation, many piano dealers and Steinway experts place used Steinways in one of three categories:
Like-new Steinway pianos: 1-25 years old
Reconditioned Steinway pianos: 25-50 years old
Fully restored Steinway pianos: 50-130+ years old
“Like new” instruments are in excellent condition and only require standard maintenance like tuning and action adjustments. Under the right circumstances and care, a used Steinway may stay in “like new” condition for 25 years or longer! It is possible to discover Steinway pianos well over 30 years old that have no need for restoration or reconditioning. A Steinway piano is built to last if it is well cared for and kept in the right environment.
Reconditioned Steinways typically required new strings, tuning pins, damper felts, hammer reshaping, and action regulation. The amount of work depends on how the instrument was maintained and stored over the years.
Fully restored Steinways are generally over 50 years old and usually required extensive work to get them back to “like new” condition. Some fully restored pianos basically get entirely new parts and workings along with repaired keys and case refinishing. But, again, this is entirely based on how owners have cared for the piano and the environment it lives in.
The value of a used Steinway piano
One thing to remember is that it wasn’t new Steinways that gave this company its global recognition; it was the fact that each piano was made with such impeccable craftsmanship that they stand the test of time. So, while used Steinway pianos come with a much lower price tag, that does not mean you are necessarily purchasing lesser quality.
Most used pianos still have many generations of music, life, and beauty left in them if they are properly maintained. One unique thing about pianos is they can be built and rebuilt over and over again.
This does not mean that Steinways appreciate (gain value) with age; it does mean they hold their quality well. Perhaps it’s impolite to discuss, but there is such a thing as depreciation with musical instruments. Just like the value of a new car declines as soon as it leaves the lot, a new piano (of any brand) depreciates as soon as it leaves the showroom floor.
The cost of a used Steinway piano varies widely depending on what type of piano it is, how much restoration or maintenance it requires, and many other factors. Prices typically range from 30% to 70% less than the cost of a new Steinway.
Steinway vs. “Steinwas”
Steinway pianos are designed to use only genuine Steinway parts, thus the saying, “If it doesn’t have all 12,116 Steinway parts, it’s no longer a Steinway.” Some people go so far as to call Steinways repaired with non-Steinway parts a “Steinwas”… it used to be a Steinway but now it is not.
While Steinways repaired with non-Steinway parts still produce beautiful music, using non-Steinway parts does alter the piano’s sound, performance, and most assuredly its investment value. For this reason, it is important to ensure the piano rebuilders used authentic Steinway parts to repair or rebuild a Steinway.
This is not simply a marketing ploy to keep the prices high. Steinway pianos are musical instruments and works of art and design. Non-Steinway replacement parts are much cheaper and sometimes made differently, impacting performance and sound.
The soundboard in a Steinway gives you an idea of the standards by which Steinway measures every single component of their piano. Steinway only uses close-grained, quarter-sawn Sitka spruce with a prescribed minimum number of annual growth rings in the wood. Steinway does not purchase any soundboards. They make every board in-house to tightly control the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Steinway never sells their soundboards and this particular part can only be replaced in the Steinway Restoration Center.
What does this mean for you? Steinway pianos repaired with non-Steinway parts should cost significantly less than those repaired with genuine Steinway parts. Most resellers will not advertise whether a Steinway was repaired with genuine parts or not. If this is important to you (and if you are paying for a Steinway, it should be), it is best to ask and to even request to see the repairs log if available. Steinway quality vs. other brands
This is a hotly debated topic with accomplished musicians on both sides presenting compelling evidence. Many professional pianists declare they’ve played both outstanding and sub-par pianos from all piano companies, including Steinway. Every piano is unique and has its own temperament and quirks. Perhaps that’s part of what makes playing them so enticing.
The brand recognition and authority of Steinway is no accident. They worked hard for many years to develop a high quality business and piano and a loyal following. They woo artists and schools to play and advertise their instruments. In many ways, Steinway has placated and even fed the music culture that deeply values tradition and authority.
At the highest end, the differences between a Steinway and most other brands are subtle (if they exist at all). Truthfully, even many accomplished pianists have difficulty identifying pianos by sound or feel in blind tests.
Many other piano brands are experimenting, innovating, and improving their product year after year. Steinway, on the other hand, is slow to change and committed to tradition. Some Steinway artists are beginning to invent and try to mesh the old and the new.
Most of Steinway’s patents have expired, leaving the brand with few technological innovations while the rest of the piano industry has thrived on experimentation and pushing the envelope of what is possible.
While some might disagree, the evidence shows that purchasing a Steinway does not guarantee you are purchasing the best piano. There are many other companies building pianos of equal quality, sound, and longevity. Buying a Steinway is more akin to purchasing a piano that is also a work of art and craftsmanship itself. It is a good investment but it should not be considered the only option for best quality and overall performance. Steinway value compared to other brands
All pianos require regular maintenance and care. The environment in which they are stored impacts all pianos. So, in that regard, all pianos are equal and their value largely depends on their condition. With the exception of digital pianos, which do depreciate with age (because of advances in technology), most reputable pianos age well as long as they are properly cared for. Therefore, there is no evidence or market research to suggest that Steinways hold their value longer or better than other reputable brands. It is less about the name on the piano than the condition and quality.
How to activate the practise pedal
Thankfully, you don’t need to keep your foot pressed on the middle pedal during playing. You can instead just press the pedal to the floor and then slide your foot to the left and lock it into place. That way your feet are free to use the other 2 pedals as you would normally. Very clever isn’t it?
How does it dampen the sound?
It is a very (very) simple process. When you press the pedal down, a long thin strip of felt is lowered in between the hammers and the strings so that when you press a key the hammer does not have a direct contact with the string, it has to strike through the felt instead. This creates a much mellower and quieter tone. I would estimate that the volume drops to around half of the normal volume which means you can easily have a conversation in the same room as the piano without raising your voice. Excellent!