begginers question

tz steve · Post by **tz steve** » 06 Feb 2008, 20:17

Hi all,

I started playing only recently and have been using an old crane thats been in my front room as long as i can remember and was thinking of getting something a bit more modern that will stay in tune a bit longer,
I like the sound and feel of the yamaha u1,u2,u3 and was wondering is there much differnce apart from the size? as having tried all three cant really see a difference apart from the u3 being a bit louder,
also ive been told that the ones made in japan are better,
how does one establish where a u3 has been made or are they all made in japan,???

Thanks in advance,

tz steve · Post by **tz steve** » 07 Feb 2008, 20:05

Anybody?

Steve

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 07 Feb 2008, 20:56

Steve,

I 'm not one of the experts here - just a lowly school music teacher

but for what it's worth, my experience is as follows:

I bought a U1 for my school music room and it is a bloody good piano. Other folks here can tell you more about the technical differences between the U series pianos. I've played a U1, a U3 and a U5 and to be honest I'd be perfectly happy with a well voiced U1. If you're buying with a view to upgrading in the future I'd go for the best you can currently afford.

I believe all the U-prefix pianos are made in Japan and British-made pianos have a P-prefix but I may be wrong on that. Don't be surprised if you don't get many replies immediately on the forum; one of its great strengths is that many professional piano technicians contribute to it and they lead busy lives involving a lot of travel away from home. I'm sure you will get more answers in due course.

Cheers now!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 08 Feb 2008, 09:10

All Black U1 U3 that are sold in the UK are made in Japan.

The actions are different the U3 has longer keys giving you a better Key hammer ratio than the U1 this results in more control when playing.

Barrie,

tz steve · Post by **tz steve** » 08 Feb 2008, 18:52

Thanks guys,
I'll prob go for a u3 so, would a secondhand 3-5 year old be a better bet than a 70's or 80's rebult one?

Thanks again
Steve

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 08 Feb 2008, 19:53

tz steve wrote:Thanks guys,
I'll prob go for a u3 so, would a secondhand 3-5 year old be a better bet than a 70's or 80's rebult one?
e

depend what they define as a rebuild some just
tart the case up, give a blow job with compressed air and call it rebuild.

All secondhand pianos need to be looked at by a Tuner a good shops are more that happy to let your tuner look at it

Barrie,

tuna · Post by **tuna** » 08 Feb 2008, 21:51

A blow job with compressed air? I'd call that a touch kinky and possibly a tad risky!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 09 Feb 2008, 00:16

give a blow job

Have I slipped into a parallel universe?

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 09 Feb 2008, 12:19

tuna wrote: A blow job with compressed air? I'd call that a touch kinky and possibly a tad risky!

The first time I started to read post from US tuners they were taking about Bonking pianos and using a extension tool to increase the power of the strokes.

The wife who also read the post commented I know you tuners love your pianos but that taking a bit to far

But it was not what she was thinking of....... !

Barrie,

sussexpianos · Post by **sussexpianos** » 09 Feb 2008, 14:08

My wife thinks Im having an affair with pianos, but she has put a stop to me bringing the old joannas home and tinkering with them in the garage