Yamaha C108 Upright Piano

The Yamaha C108 is too small to satisfy most serious musicians. Try to aim for something at least 120cm tall. If you have any technical info or corrections for this article, please email mgpianos@gmail.com.

The pros of buying a Yamaha C108

• It is a very small piano
• It is a very cheap piano.

What are the cons of buying a Yamaha C108?

• It is too small to produce a sound as good as some of the taller uprights

When was it produced?

The Yamaha C108 is no longer being produced. I couldn’t find when this piano was manufactured but probably from the 1980s or 1990s.

Where was it made?

There is some confusion here. I think the C108 was made in Japan but some claim it was made by Pearl River in China on behalf of Yamaha. The serial numbers I’ve seen in C108 pianos have all been Japanese.

What differences between similarly named models?

A similar model to this one is the Yamaha C110, slightly larger with a standard classic black finish, or the Yamaha  M5J, which is also only a tiny 108cm.

Videos

Quotes

Don’t just take my word for it, here is what I came across on a Piano World Forum…

“I actually used to have an E108. It was the first piano I owned, and I bought it new coming up for 20 years ago. I think it can be best described as adequate, but nothing more than that… After about 8 years, I traded mine in against a used U1, which despite being 20 years older, was a HUGE improvement.”
http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2467141/Yamaha_E108.html

Who should buy them?

If you just need a piano to tinkle around on now and then and you don’t mind that it won’t sound or feel high quality then a C108 will be OK. However, if you have any sort of ambition to improve your playing and enjoy hearing a high quality tone then you should consider looking elsewhere. Your obvious alternative choice would be a reconditioned Yamaha U1, U10BL, U10A or similar.

Will I need to upgrade at some point?

Yes, probably. If you are on the verge of buying a C108, pause and consider options.

Dimensions

Height:  108cm
Width:    142cm
Depth:    56cm

New and used prices.

This Piano is no longer made new but you can buy a used one from around £1500-£1900.

Alternative models to consider similar to this.

An alternative models to the Yamaha C108 is the Yamaha U1, which is a much better option for those who need a smaller piano that will see them through their grades and beyond.

Conclusion

This piano may be OK for beginners or for very infrequent use but if you play often or you want to progress your playing, you should definitely consider avoiding this model and look at something at least 120cm tall such as the excellent Yamaha U1. 

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