A practical guide to the Yamaha upright and grand piano models we most often stock, sell and recommend.
The biggest mistake we see is people buying a brand new Yamaha B1 simply because it is small and cheap.
For the same price, you can buy a professionally reconditioned Japanese-made Yamaha U1 instead. A far higher quality piano with better materials, a richer tone and much stronger long-term resale value.
The U1 is popular because pianists love it. The B1 is popular because it is cheap and shiny and people buy it without asking their piano teacher for advice first.
If your budget stretches to a new B1, you should buy a Japanese U1 instead.
U1, U3, B1, B3, etc
If you want the safest, smartest Yamaha piano purchase possible, stop overthinking it and buy a professionally reconditioned Japanese Yamaha U1. This is the piano generations of teachers, students and serious pianists already decided was good enough. Solid, respected, reliable and endlessly proven. Whereas the Yamaha B1 exists to be cheap, the U1 exists to knock your socks off. For most buyers, the search should honestly end here.
Think of the Yamaha U3 as the U1’s bigger, more confident brother. Same Japanese build quality, same reputation, just more power, more depth and a bigger sound altogether. If you have the room and can stretch the budget slightly further, this is where many pianists end up. We’ve sold thousands of these and many people tell us “it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought”
The Yamaha B1 is not a terrible piano. It is simply the piano people buy when they want something brand new at the lowest possible Yamaha price. That is very different from buying the piano that someone will enjoy playing. For the same price, a professionally reconditioned Japanese Yamaha U1 will usually feel more serious, more satisfying and far more likely to inspire you to enjoy your learning.
U1H, U1M, U3H, U3M and other production variants.
Premium Upgraded version of the Yamaha U1
Later premium Yamaha upright range. Usually newer, refined and less common than standard U-series pianos.
Premium U30, YU, and X-braced version of the U3 uprights.
Premium upright models often positioned above the standard U3, with cabinet and action refinements depending on the exact model.
Premium upright models often positioned above the standard U3, with cabinet and action refinements depending on the exact model.
Premium X-braced Yamaha uprights, often sought after by buyers wanting something above a standard U3.
Premium X-braced Yamaha uprights, often sought after by buyers wanting something above a standard U3.
GC1, C1, G1 and similar Yamaha baby grands.
Compact Japanese Yamaha baby grand. Popular for homes, teachers and smaller music rooms.
Slightly larger than the C1, giving more tone while still staying relatively compact.
C3, C5, C7 and larger professional Yamaha grands.
One of Yamaha’s most respected professional grands. A serious step up from compact baby grands.
Large professional Yamaha grand, often used in performance and institutional settings.
Browse our archive of previously sold Yamaha pianos, including serial numbers, photos and videos.
Some other Yamaha uprights you may expect to find
Some other Yamaha grands you may expect to find
Visit our Manchester or London showroom, reserve online or message us for advice.
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