USED YAMAHA U1E OR U10A

[milnerhouse]

Help I am confused!! I am aware that the above mentioned models are both U1s but what I am confused about is whether they were made for the UK market. I don't want to buy an import. The U10A seems rarer. It is 1990 and only £500 more than the U1E made in 1967 but why is it not very common in the UK? Can anyone throw any light on this and advise which is the better buy? I don't want to be put off by the age if it is a better piano. Both have been reconditioned fully. Many thanks for any help.

[Barrie Heaton]

Help I am confused!! I am aware that the above mentioned models are both U1s but what I am confused about is whether they were made for the UK market. I don't want to buy an import. The U10A seems rarer. It is 1990 and only £500 more than the U1E made in 1967 but why is it not very common in the UK? Can anyone throw any light on this and advise which is the better buy? I don't want to be put off by the age if it is a better piano. Both have been reconditioned fully. Many thanks for any help.

Yamaha have made many U1 letter changes that are cast into the frame over the years as to the serial number they have prefixes

E is Europe
C is Chinese
J is Indonesia
H Japanese H is a model prefix
"T", the piano was manufactured in Thomaston, Georgia
"U", the piano was manufactured in South Haven, Michigan.


As to your pianos if they don't have an E before the serial number then they were not for the UK market However, there are some very nice imports out there you but need a tuner to look at the piano to give you some on site independent advice

As to reconditioned bit that can mean anything if they just change one part that is reconditioned, that fact that the rest of the piano is knackered is OK they have change one part so they can claim its reconditioned.


Barrie

[milnerhouse]

Thank you very much Barrie for some very useful information!

I will cerainly look at the serial number prefix of the Yamaha pianos and ask about how they have been reconditioned!

Victoria

[mdw]

You need to get an independent tech to check it over. The total lies and rubish I read on some web sites means I would take what ever is said over the net with a pinch of salt unless backed up by an independent tech. Any decent shop would be happy for this to happen. And if its a 20 year old piano that needs a propper full reconditioning then it must have had a hard life. So I would guess its had a bit of a tidy and a polyester buff up. Like lots of net Yamahas

[joe]

How much are they asking for both pianos,i wouls suggest a new Yamaha B3 or Kawai K3 or an Essex piano designed by Steinway but very much depends on your budget should be able to squeeze a good deal out from your local dealers.Why buy imported used buy new 10 year manafacturers warranty etc.

[faizjoks]

Yamaha upright pianos of the U Series has long been the leading choice for educational institutions, professional musicians and serious amateur pianists, and is used Yamaha U1E is a fine example of all these qualities. I'm impressed by your knowledge of the age assessment Yamaha U3M has been well until 1984. It really is based on the serial number. There was an overlap in U3M and transition to the U3A. He has been with U3M 3,750,000 serial which is the end of 1983 to 1984 and nearly U3A with serial number less than U3M. Yamaha is a bit wary of major changes between the different characters, although the best news they are the same as for the Great. Yamaha are certainly newer than their polyester finish.

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

Nobody has commented on the U10A just yet so I'll pipe up and say that I've had a few U10A uprights in stock and have found them to be mellower in tone compared with the U1. The U10A is too mellow for my tastes but many people like that slightly restrained tone, especially if noise is an issue in the home. On a more general note (but still talking about mellowness), I like how most U1s tend to have a bit more "attitude" to the tone when compared with a U3 which usually has a more refined sound.

Hope that helps

Mark