Yamaha U3 - 52 Acoustic Upright U Series Piano

...this instrument.

Yamaha have been manufacturing musical instruments for years, and are NOT a cheap option as imports generally are. These are top of the range models, they look beautifully finished and every detail is thought out. My Yamaha shines in the sun, and gleams even when dusty. It is a real focal point in any home, not only is it an instrument but it is a piece of furniture.

One downside to this piano is the ...
...responsive action.

Yamaha is the brand to go for if you want a superior upright, without the extortionate cost of a Steinway. But it is vital that you consider the risks of buying second hand. You should be able to get a decent used U3 for around £2-3000, but to be honest it's not worth the hassle. You can't really tell the condition of the soundboard, how much wear it's had and whether it needs a complete overhaul. The only problem ... more

I have been playing the piano since I was 4 years old, and having had little luck with second hand pianos, I decided to spend most of my savings on this little baby! I can tell you it was worth it, I am a musician, not just a pianist, I understand why and I will try and explain to you in as much detail as possible the reality of this instrument.

Yamaha have been manufacturing musical instruments for years, and are NOT a cheap option as imports generally are. These are top of the range models, they look beautifully finished and every detail is thought out. My Yamaha shines in the sun, and gleams even when dusty. It is a real focal point in any home, not only is it an instrument but it is a piece of furniture.

One downside to this piano is the stats of its size:

FEATURES

88 keys, 3 pedals (centre pedal: sostenuto)
Height: 131 cm (51 1/2")
Width: 153 cm (60 1/4")
Depth: 65 cm (25 1/2")
Weight: 235 kg (517 lbs)

Clearly this is no small instrument. It is 10cm higher than a standard piano, giving it a beautifully rich tone and resonance. It is crisp and clear in the treble and deep in the bass, and you can play any style of music from jazz to classical and it will always respond to your fingers. I was worried it would only sound one way, but the tone of this piano is so professional and rich that it is used in examinations, concerts and institutions worldwide.

WARNING! This piano is very loud for an upright! If you've got a small house and kids that are learning, it's not the best thing because it projects the sound throughout every room in the house. I can hear mine in the loft, at the bottom of the garden (we have a large detached house and a long garden!) and in the street! The dynamic range is great because the piano is so responsive, but it is still loud! I would recommend putting a duvet or thick blanket over the top of the piano to muffle it slightly if you want it dull the sound.

The three pedals you get are the sostenuto, or sustain pedal, the practice pedal (for quieter playing in a household!) and the damper pedal, which plays 'una corda' or one string only (normally the hammers hit three strings when the note is pressed, but this creates a softer sound).

This piano is fitted with a lid that shuts on its own. This doesn't sound exciting but when you teach, as I do, it prevents those mischievious little kids slamming the lid down and nearly chopping off your fingers, or their own! Nasty! There is a nice music stand, although stupidly it doesn't have anything to hold back the pages. I find this the most idiotic feature on all modern pianos, as most people need to stop the music flapping everywhere! The top is easily lifted up without moving anything or undoing any screws, so to make it even louder, do this! I wouldn't recommend it though on a daily basis as it helps get the inside all dusty!

This piano is big brother to the U1. The U1 is in itself a great little piano, but more as a starter (if you can afford it!), and the U3 really does itself justice. The soundboard is made to last, and the strings professionally crafted, which means the tone is exceptionally pure. I could not believe it when I played this, simply because the keys are so responsive. Playing quietly is easy as the keys bounce back at the slightest touch, which any pianist will know is rare. The action tolerance is 0.05mm, which is so defined that you only need to tap it to get a response. This makes it perfect for more technical work, such as trills and ornaments, which are so difficult on an older piano with a less responsive action.

Yamaha is the brand to go for if you want a superior upright, without the extortionate cost of a Steinway. But it is vital that you consider the risks of buying second hand. You should be able to get a decent used U3 for around £2-3000, but to be honest it's not worth the hassle. You can't really tell the condition of the soundboard, how much wear it's had and whether it needs a complete overhaul. The only problem with buying a new one is that they go down quickly in value. However, they do tend to stabilise at around this price, making it a good investment.

You have to also take into account that the older Yamahas were less well made. There is a tendency to a 'bright, hard' tone, which you will not find in the new U3. It is wise to try out your piano before you buy it, as you cannot be sure as to whether you will like the sound.

These pianos tend to come in a select choice of colours, the most popular being 'Polished Ebony'. This basically means a black plastic finish! I know what you're thinking... hmm..plastic isn't good. But hang on! This plastic is melted into shape, it's so strong it's very hard to snap or break. However, it is fairly brittle, meaning that you could stamp on your piano and not break it but it may crack if you're not careful. NEVER leave any object on top of it that may cause damage. So many people put plants on their pianos, I have NO idea why because soundboards and water don't mix! You can also get a Polished White finish, which is beautiful when new but tends to fade to a grubbier yellow, especially if you smoke. Mahogany is quite a traditional look, although it reminds me of those fake wood car dashboards. Personally I don't think imitation wood is nice.

Aside from the polished plastic finish, the details are in shiny brass. This means basically the hinges, the lock and the 'YAMAHA' sign across the front. It is simple in design, it's elegant and it is unimposing in a large room. To view a picture and spec click here:

http://chrisvenables.co.uk/modelspec/yamaha%20u3s%20upright%20piano.htm

CARE

When you buy a piano, you need to leave it to settle for a few weeks and then have it tuned. The tone will change over the first six months or so. If you're not happy with the sound, you can have it prepared to suit your ears, not just by tuning but actually changing the way the piano reacts. You should aim to have it tuned every six months and it will cost between £30-40.

The humidity and heat in a room will vastly affect the amount you need to get it serviced. The room should be kept at a relatively constant temperature and humidity, otherwise the wood will expand and shrink, causing the strings to stretch and go out of tune. NEVER put your piano in direct sunlight, the heat has the same effect.

The piano comes with a dust cover to fit over the keyboard, 2 keys to lock it, and a polishing cloth. You need a special cloth because the plastic is pretty static and difficult to clean.

I have had my piano for a year now, I have never had a problem with it and it graces my home with elegance!

PRICES AND INFO

For more information on Yamaha pianos you can visit their website at www.yamaha.com and follow the links.

The current web prices (much cheaper!) are around £4,549 at www.chrisvenables.co.uk, the actual list price being £6,499. I bought my piano here and received delivery within the week and a free first tuning. I was able to visit the showroom in Ringwood, Hampshire, and try out all the pianos with no salesman to bother me!

This model is also available in the Silent Series. This enables you to switch the piano from an acoustic to a digital, using fibre optic beams. It is more expensive to buy, but also very worthwhile if you live in a confined space or a terraced house! Current prices are around £5,039, RRP £7,199.

Happy playing! 

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