Yamaha G1X Grand Piano

The Yamaha G1 and its variations, the G1L and the G1X are the smallest of the G range. They are made for a home or studio and although they lack the powerful tone of the bigger models, the Yamaha G1X is still a great piano. Some G1X’s are rather old so check the condition carefully before buying. If you have any technical info or corrections for this article, please email mgpianos@gmail.com.

The pros of buying a Yamaha G1X

• It will fit into smaller spaces, so its compact design will appeal to many buyers.
• It has some slight design changes compared to the G1, but is virtually the same piano when it comes to looks and musicality. .
• If properly maintained, the Yamaha G1X has a great sound despite its old age, they have lasted well and have a lot of life still to give.

What are the cons of buying a Yamaha G1X?

• It has short bass strings. A tall upright piano (U3, UX, etc) has longer bass strings than most baby grand pianos and won’t take up as much space, its worth considering how much you want a grand piano.
• You will need to carefully check the condition of a Yamaha G1X due to its age, although, this should really be done when buying any used piano.
• Don’t get caught up in the added letters on the G1 variations. Sometimes the G1L and G1X are marketed as upgraded models, but in reality they are so similar that you may struggle to spot the difference.

When was it produced?

All the variations of the Yamaha G1 were produced between 1984 and 1994.

Where was it made?

The Yamaha G1X was made in the same factory where Yamaha manufactures its concert grand, the CFX, which sells for £140k. All of Yamaha’s top models are made in the Hamamatsu factory in Japan.

Videos

Quotes

Don’t just take my word for it, here is a quote that I found on Piano world about the G1 (which is essentially the same piano)…

“I grew up playing a 1982 G1 through my teens, and it treated me well.” – http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1374769/1980-yamaha-g1-worth-it-or-rx2-1980-1987.html

Who should buy them?

This piano is perfect for those who want the look and feel of a grand piano, but don’t have the budget or space to keep something bigger. It is a fairly compact piano and won’t overpower your home. It probably wouldn’t be suitable for recording studios or concert halls, for that, you would want to look at the G3, G5 or even better the Yamaha G7.

Will I need to upgrade at some point?

Age is the biggest issue with the Yamaha G1X, but if you can find one in a great condition, and you maintain it well, it should last you a lifetime. However, you may find yourself longing for the powerful tones of the bigger models.

Dimensions

The Yamaha G1X is 160cm long and has a width of 146cm

New and used prices.

A used Yamaha G1X will cost around £7500-£8500. The new equivalent, the C1X has an RRP of around £19,000.

Alternative models to consider similar to this.

The G1, G1L and G1X are all basically the same piano so any of these models will make you just as happy as the other. If you have room to spare and you can stretch your budget then go for something bigger. If you want something newer, you should look towards the C1, C1L, and C1X which are newer versions of the Yamaha G1.  Did you know that a full-sized upright piano (Yamaha U3, U30BL, UX, etc) has longer bass strings than most baby grand pianos? So, perhaps try out those models too.

Conclusion

The G1 and its variations are a compact option for those who really want a grand piano. Make sure to have it inspected before you buy, many people ignore this advice. Don’t do it, you may really regret it!

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I hope this summary was helpful to you, and as always your feedback, thoughts and questions are welcomed, so don’t hesitate to reach out.