The Yamaha U1 is the BEST beginner acoustic piano in 2025. Here's why!

I've converted all of my best Yamaha piano knowledge into a free PDF. Pop your email in below and I'll send it straight over

Hi everyone
I made a video explaining why I think the Yamaha U1 is the best starter acoustic piano. Have a watch and let me know your thoughts at hello@mgps.uk

Pianist Magazine’s 2025 Piano Buyer’s Guide Says…

Here is a photo I took of the 2025 Pianist Magazine’s piano buyer’s guide opinion of the Yamaha U1

Wow! Let’s have a plain-text version of that because of how amazing an endorsement that was;

The backbone of tens of thousands of music schools and conservatoires around the world for over half a century, the evergreen U1 offers an unbeatable combination of high quality sound and response for players at every level.

The transcript of the video above goes a little bit like this…

The Yamaha U1 should be the FIRST piano that you consider when shopping for an acoustic piano whether you are studying for grade 1, grade 8, diploma, or just paying for fun. There is only 1 reason NOT to buy a Yamaha U1 and I’ll tell you at the end. Are you ready? Let’s go!

1. The Yamaha U1 was released in the 1950s and Yamaha have made hundreds of thousands of them since then made. They are reliable, high-quality pianos that are trusted by music schools, recording studios, professional pianists, and piano teachers all over the world.
2. The Yamaha U1 is large enough to provide a great sound whilst being compact enough to fit comfortably into your living room.
3. Larry Fine wrote a very famous book about buying pianos, and he says that the U1 is “THE standard against which every 48” upright piano is inevitably compared”. So the U1 sets THE STANDARD!
4. Most U1 pianos are made in Japan, unlike lesser-quality pianos which are made in China or Indonesia.
5. Yamaha U1 pianos are in such high demand that it will be very easy for you to sell yours in future when you no longer need it.
6. Any Yamaha U1 can be converted into a “silent” hybrid piano for late-night playing with headphones
7. You can buy a reconditioned 2nd hand Yamaha U1 made in the 70s, 80s, or 90s, for less than half the price of a new one. Or if you buy one from the 1960s it might only cost around 1/3 the price of a new one.
8. For all of these reasons, and many more, I believe that the Yamaha U1 is one of the best choices for all pianists, of all ages, and all standards, anywhere in the world. So just buy one OK!

Oh, and the only reason not to buy a U1 is if you can afford a U3 instead which is slightly bigger, slightly better, slightly more expensive.