Yamaha SU-131 upright piano review and information

The Yamaha SU131 is one of the best upright pianos ever made. Each part has been handcrafted to help produce an incredible action and sound. It is like a top grand piano. The SU131 is hard to come by second-hand, so you will either be waiting for a long time or will have to buy a new one. If you have any technical info or corrections for this article, please email mgpianos@gmail.com.

The Pros of buying a Yamaha SU131

  • It is a concert level piano of the very best quality.
  • It is a full size piano, with long strings that will give a full range of tone.
  • The Yamaha SU131 will last a lifetime. It will see ambitious students through their stages and will also be a wonderful instrument for any experienced player.
  • This piano is made in Yamaha’s very best factory

The Cons of buying a Yamaha SU131

  • This is a large full-sized piano, so it may look imposing in smaller spaces.
  • This piano is hard to find used, and a new model has a very high price tag.

When was it produced?

I’ve seen SU-131 piano for sale as late as 2004 but I’m not sure what year they were finally replaced by the SU7

Where was it made?

The SU131 comes from Yamaha’s leading workshop in Hamamatsu, Japan. This is where Yamaha makes all their best pianos, including their concert grand piano, the CFX, worth £140k.

What differences between similarly named models?

The Yamaha SU131 is closely related to the SU7. They are both excellent pianos, but the Yamaha SU7 has longer keys for slightly better touch control. The SU131 was replaced by the SU7.

Videos

Opinions from the forums, blogs, articles etc? (try not to quote other dealers)

From their initial design to the selection of the choicest materials, their impeccable craftsmanship and painstaking final preparation, no effort has been spared in creating these instruments of rare and uncompromising quality. They offer superior performance and expressive control for the most accomplished pianists, with delicate response, a broad palette of tonal coloration and a resonance rarely found in a vertical piano.

- Renaissance Pianos

Who should buy them?

The Yamaha SU131 is suitable for the best players in the world, or those who require the touch and tone of a top-quality grand but want a piano with a much smaller footprint. 

Who shouldn’t buy them?

Those on a smaller budget but who still want an exceptional piano should look at Yamaha’s U-series.

Will I need to upgrade at some point?

If you buy a Yamaha SU131 there will be no need to upgrade for another upright piano. This is why they are so difficult to find on the second-hand market, they hardly ever get swapped for another upright.

Dimensions

Height: 131cm
Length: 153cm
Depth: 65cm

New and used prices (new 30% higher than standard U3. Used )

The RRP for a new Yamaha SU131 is about £20,000. Previously owned ones are so rare that it isn’t worth wasting time trying to find one.

Alternative models to consider similar to this

I would urge people to go for a Yamaha U3 or the upgraded U3A, U30BL premium models. These pianos are also made in Yamaha’s leading factory, in Hamamatsu, and are built with the same care and attention to detail. They have the same overall dimensions as the Yamaha SU131, which means they can produce the deep, rich tone that all great pianos have. You will get a premium piano but for a lot less money. You could also consider the Yamaha SU7, which replaced the SU131 and is and upgraded version.

Conclusion

The Yamaha SU131 is one of the very best upright pianos ever made. If you want this piano, you will pay a high price and may get better value for money if you choose a similar high-end piano that is easier to find.

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I hope this summary was helpful. Feedback, thoughts and questions are welcome.