Yamaha SU118c upright piano review & information

Is the SU118c (at 118cm tall) the same underlying piano as the Yamaha U1 (121cm tall)? And they’ve shortened it by 3cm just by removing the castors? That’s the rumour! Do you know the answer? Please let me know. Until then, please read on for some general information about this model.

Pros and cons of the Yamaha SU118C

PROS

  • Like all Yamaha pianos, the Yamaha SU118C is made from high quality materials to Yamaha’s very high standards.
  • At only 118cm tall, the Yamaha SU118c is amongst the smallest pianos, great for those who want a piano in their home, without losing their dining table.
  • The Yamaha SU118c is a Japanese made piano, and all the best Yamaha Pianos come from Japan.

CONS

  • If you need a top quality tone, then this piano is just a bit too small. You can only get the very best sound by having long bass strings. Long bass strings don’t fit inside small pianos.

When was it produced?

The Yamaha SU118 was first made in 1985 and is still being made today. It has gone through some minor design changes in this time, represented by a letter, in this case a C.

Where was it made?

The Yamaha SU118c is made in the same Japanese factory as the Yamaha CFX concert grand, a piano that sells for around £140k!

Quotes

Don’t just take our word for it…

“I am an elderly amateur pianist from Finland who owns a Yamaha SU-118 piano which I purchased new in 1984 and still happy with it” – source
.html

And another…

“I have an idea that the SU118 also uses the same frame, and is only shorter than the others (118cm vs 121cm) by dint of the fact that for some reason Yamaha forgot to fit castors.” – source
forums/viewtopic.php?t=3426

Videos

Here is a video of a Yamaha SU118C …
https://youtu.be/LIK3EpVe4gg

Who should buy them?

The Yamaha SU118c is a great piano for those who need a really good piano that will fit in a smaller space. It would suit ambitious students but serious players may want something with a wider range of tone and longer strings.

Will I need to upgrade at some point?

You may want to own something a bit bigger if you want a better sound but in terms of build quality, the Yamaha SU118C will last a lifetime if properly cared for.

Dimensions

  • Height: 118cm
  • Width: 150cm
  • Depth: 60cm

New and used prices.

A professionally refurbished Yamaha SU118C could cost anywhere from £8000 to £12,000 depending on its age.

Alternative models to consider similar to this.

The Yamaha U1 is another great smaller piano at 121cm and is on par with the Yamaha SU118C. You may also want to consider something a bit taller, like the Yamaha U3, U30BL, U300, etc.

Conclusion

The Yamaha SU118C is brilliant for a smaller piano, if you haven’t got the space for something bigger, then this piano will be perfect you!