Is The Yamaha U1 The Best Upright Piano?
Whether you are a professional musician or someone just learning how to tinkle the ivories, you might be wondering if the Yamaha U1 is the best upright piano you can buy. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion regarding their favorite musical instrument brand, let’s break down the reasons why so many people prefer the Yamaha U1 no matter which genre of music they play.
Some musical instruments are meant only for their immediate use – a set of drums to bang for your garage band, a pawn-shop guitar you pick up to try to learn a few riffs (just not Stairway to Heaven – please). But the Yamaha U1 is a finely crafted Japanese model from a reputable company that has the potential to be a precious heirloom for future generations. This is especially true if you have family members who are musically inclined. You could also have unborn heirs who might inherit your love for playing music. They would be delighted to be gifted a well-cared-for piano.
Let’s do a deeper dive into why the Yamaha U1 can be both a great investment and your go-to piano for practicing and performances.
It Is Neither the Top Nor the Bottom of the Line
Face it — you are probably not a budding Chopin (or even a Liberace). So there is no need to spend the kids’ college funds (or your retirement pension) buying the most expensive model in the music store.
For most people’s musical purposes, the Yamaha U1 is a realistic option that will bring them many years of pleasant memories and beautiful music. It can easily be integrated into whatever decor or style you have in your home, as it comes in all of the following finishes:
- Satin Ebony
- Polished Ebony
- Polished Mahogany
- Polished American Walnut
- Polished White
- Satin American Walnut,
- Satin Ebony
As you can tell, the styles are versatile. Once you decide on the model that works best for your needs, you can choose a finish that will seamlessly coordinate with the rest of your furnishings and color schemes.
There Is a Robust Asian Piano Market
Today, there are inferior piano models coming out of several Asian markets, including China. Those models are cheaper, and they sound like it, too. It’s true that some of the cheaper models coming out of China or some other Asian nations might be sufficient for the plunkers.
But for those musicians (and musician wanna-be’s) with discerning tastes seeking quality pianos, there is just nothing like the highly touted automated craftsmanship of these models. Yamaha has long held a strong corner of the market with its high-quality keyboard and pianos.
The pianist for Piano Reviewer stated in their own recent review that the Yamaha U1 is a “wonderful piano in every respect.” That’s high praise indeed. But don’t just take their word for it. Explore the options in your price range to help ensure you get the most bang for your buck — as well as meet all your musical needs.
It’s a Practical Choice for Smaller Spaces
If you have an upcoming piano concerto scheduled in a major music hall, the Yamaha U1 might not be the model you would choose to play at your gig. But at only 48” high with a width of 59”, you can park that bad boy in almost any home or even apartment unit. This particular model is nowhere near the weight of a large grand piano (which weighs in at approximately 1,200 lbs.). In fact, Yamaha U1 pianos fall at the lower end of the weight scale for upright pianos. Most weigh “only” around 500 lbs. That makes it far easier to transport and install in your home or music conservatory.
If you already have a dedicated music room in your home, the Yamaha U1 should be a perfect fit. The sleek, classic look of the Yamaha U1 can be the focal piece of any room in which it is placed.
The same is true for positioning it in your living or family rooms. No matter where you decide to situate it, the U1 makes an attractive accent piece capable of producing musical art to fit any mood or gathering.
Yamaha U1 Models Are Durable
Some of the greatest classical composers – Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mozart, and even Stravinsky with his once scandalous composition, “Rite of Spring” — played music that required aggressive pounding on the keys. Today, you must only glimpse Elton John banging out some of his greatest rocking hits on his piano to understand why durability and sturdiness are desirable features no matter what genre of music you play.
Yamaha U1 models are well-designed with hammers that enhance durability while still assuring that the instrument can produce the highest quality tones possible. The same is true for the upright model’s structural stability. Its rigid back posts allow for satisfying resonance in every note. Also, the way the Yamaha U1 has its ribs structured, it protects the more vulnerable soundboard.
Does the Yamaha U1 Make a Good Piano for Kids to Learn to Play?
As a “starter” piano for beginners of all ages, this model is the perfect choice for children who are first learning how to play. But by no means is the Yamaha U1 just a “kid’s piano.” It is, after all, a significant investment. Many neophyte adult piano students buy these models to learn the basics. They figure that one day they will graduate to something larger and fancier.
But often, their satisfaction with the quality of the sound the professional quality Yamaha U1 produces causes them to reconsider investing in any upgrades. As the adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Of course, if children are going to be playing it, they need to learn to treat it respectfully, just as they would with any other musical instrument. While these keys are made of acrylic resin and not the ivory of days gone by, they are still susceptible to breakage from ill treatment or abuse.
Keeping the piano housing and its keys free of dust and other debris that could affect the sound or sturdiness of the instrument is vital if longevity is a goal.
What About the Tone of the Yamaha U1?
The signature sound of Yamaha pianos is the resonance of the notes. Skilled pianists can coax notes that are mellow, bright and full of lovely sound. For beginners still regularly hitting clunkers, there is even a way to mute the setting so roommates, classmates, and family members aren’t regularly wincing at every wrong note or out of tune attempt.
How Does the Yamaha U3 differ from the Yamaha U1?
Here you have your upgrade, as the U3 is going to be a larger piano with all the same qualities of professional sound and durability. It is mainly professional musicians who invest in such upgrades as they ascend the ladder in their careers.
They start playing at larger venues and realize that even when their Yamaha U1 is miked up to the maximum setting, it will never be able to compete with electric guitars or drums and other percussion instruments. This is mostly noticeable when the pianist plays the left-handed bass notes. Because of their lower tones, they can wind up getting lost in the literal shuffle of sound from louder background instruments.
If a Yamaha U1 Is So Great, Why Upgrade?
Many musicians don’t because there is no need for an upgrade. But even when the investment is deemed worthwhile, there is a major advantage in upgrading from a Yamaha U1 to its larger, more expensive big brother, the Yamaha U3.
Since the resale market remains quite hot for gently used Yamaha U1s, you may be able to negotiate a great deal with a music store by trading in your U1 for the louder and larger U3.
If they are not the type to dicker over the prices of their musical instruments, no worries. Place a few online ads targeting music students, churches, schools, and others who may be interested in buying your used U1. That sale will give you a nice nest egg to use as a down payment on your upgraded Yamaha U3!
Why Does the Yamaha U1 Remain So Popular?
There are a few good reasons, as summarized by the aforementioned Piano Reviewer. They include:
- Branding – People tend to have greater trust in those brands that have been household names for decades and generations. That can certainly be said about Yamaha.
- Pricing – Let’s face it — most beginners aren’t going to be looking for a Steinway. There are plenty of cheaper instruments to learn to play if money is the sole object. If, however, you are satisfied with a well-made, mid-priced model with a great sound, the Yamaha U1 could be just the piano for you.
- Sturdiness – Again, you are making a significant investment when you purchase a piano. Especially if you intend it to be an heirloom for your loved ones, you want something that is sturdy enough to withstand a few moves and generations of tiny, sticky fingers banging on the keys.
- Reputation – Musical Instrument Pro makes the bold claim that the most popular piano in the United States is the Yamaha U1.
Should You Ever Buy a Used Piano
Sure, why not? But seriously, you could find a great deal on a used Yamaha U1 because these pianos retain their value more than many of their competitors. However — and this is key — unless you have a great deal of knowledge about pianos and their conditions, it will be well worth the money to bring along a professional piano technician to examine the instrument and assess its condition.
A piano that is kept in tune, played regularly, dusted often, and protected from moisture, mold and rodent or other pest activity can last for a long time. But beware of supposed “deals” that may come from estate sales. These pianos may have been sitting unused for many years in moldering homes and need more expensive repairs than they are even worth.
No Piano Worth Its Salt Comes Cheap
If you are in the market to purchase a piano, the Yamaha U! is a great place to start looking. You should expect to spend over $11,000 on a brand new U1 piano. Have you recovered from the sticker shock yet? Maybe you should sit a spell on the fainting couch with the smelling salts for a minute or two.
But seriously, if you don’t have the full price in your bank account or stuffed underneath your mattress, all hope is not lost. Many — if not most — reputable music stores that sell pianos offer in-store financing, often with better terms than lots of traditional lenders offer.
There are also places where you can rent a piano for a while, get the feel of it before deciding whether it is the right model that serves your musical needs best. Of course, depending on where you live, transporting a piano in and out of your home or apartment might not be very simple.
Still, as when making any major investment, you shouldn’t commit to anything without first researching all of your options. Does a Yamaha U1 seem like a good choice for a fledgling or small-time musician working primarily in smallish venues? For many who are musically inclined, it is a great choice that they will be proud they made for many years to come.
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