• Rimmers Music Blog
Yamaha pianos have been one of the most trusted names in the world of acoustic pianos for over a century. Renowned for their durability, exceptional sound, and affordability, they offer a wide range of upright pianos to suit various playing styles and budgets. However, the sheer number of Yamaha series available, with their corresponding letter and number codes, can be a bit daunting for first-time piano buyers.
This guide simplifies your search by exploring the distinct features of each Yamaha upright piano series. Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or a seasoned professional seeking a new voice, we'll help you find the Yamaha piano that’s a perfect fit for you.
Yamaha U Series: U1 and U3
The Yamaha U Series is widely known as ‘the world’s most popular upright’ and is loved by amateurs, professionals, and teachers alike. These models are great all-rounders, with a bright sound forgiving for beginners, while offering the responsiveness desired by advanced players. Although not the cheapest of Yamaha’s models, the U is affordable compared to many upright pianos and you’re investing in an instrument that offers outstanding sound quality and will last you many years.
Key Features include:
- Soft-close, locking fallboard
- Redesigned hammers
- Solid asian spruce soundboard
- A celeste or muffle pedal
What’s the difference between the U1 and U3?
Choosing between the Yamaha U1 and Yamaha U3 comes down to size, sound and budget. The U1 is a more compact and affordable option, making it ideal for beginners or smaller spaces. Then, the U3’s larger size allows for a richer, warmer tone due to its taller soundboard. This makes the U3 more versatile and better-suited for players seeking a smoother playing action.
Yamaha B Series
The clue’s in the name - the B Series is ideal for beginner players. It’s Yamaha’s most compact series, with the B1 starting at just 109cm tall, which also makes it a good choice for players with limited spaces. The series serves as an excellent choice for both entry-level and more seasoned pianists because, despite its smaller size, it delivers exceptional performance. This is particularly the case with the B2 and B3 models; they share components with the U1 series and provide similar quality at a more accessible price point.
The B1, B2 and B3 are all also available with Silent Technology - this allows you to plug in your headphones and play completely silently!
Yamaha P Series
What makes the P series distinct is its warm and clear European tone, thanks to the use of a high altitude Austrian source for its soundboard. Designed in Europe, it offers a softer tone, and unique aesthetic, compared to the bolder tone and angular design of the U series.
Whilst positioned below the professional U series, it excels for home practice and performances, offering fantastic tonal reproduction and a very responsive keyboard action. The Yamaha P series is available in the P116 model (116 cm tall) and P121 model (121 cm tall).
What is the difference between the Yamaha P Series and U Series?
The key distinction between the P and U series lies in their sound. The P models deliver a softer, more European tone as a result of their spruce soundboard and a specific European voicing technique. The U series is known for a bolder and brighter tone, favoured by pianists who prefer a traditional upright piano sound. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference, and whether a softer or bolder tone is more what you’re after.
Yamaha SE Series
The Yamaha SE is a unique series, blending Eastern and Western piano-making traditions. Designed to rival instruments of the likes of Steinway, it’s rightly considered a significant step up from the U Line. The SE is handcrafted in Japan by a renowned German manufacturer and the result is an exceptional quality unlike any other Yamaha offering. The tone is warm and mellower than the U and YUS series; for an even richer sound consider the SE132 which has a larger size and therefore, greater depth of tone.
How is this tone created? Well, it’s the result of Renner hammers (as used in Steinway instruments), a Bavarian spruce soundboard, and the same hand-spun Viennese bass strings as are used in Bosendorfer pianos. The SE series also benefits from elegant touches including a soft-closing fall board, and music desk long enough to accommodate sizeable music scores.
Yamaha SU Series
The SU models are the real pinnacle of Yamaha’s upright piano catalogue, using the same materials and techniques as their flagship concert grand pianos. They are handcrafted from start to finish by the craftspeople of Yamaha’s concert piano facility and produce an outstandingly rich sound quality. As a result they come at a high price but are entirely worth the investment if you are looking for an incredibly responsive and powerful instrument.
Yamaha SU are smaller instruments than some other high-end Yamaha uprights, making them a good choice for those with space limitations. We’d recommend this series to professional pianists or more advanced students, seeking a top-tier piano with maximum control.
Key features:
- Alaskan spruce soundboard: a tight grain delivers rich and clear tones
- Advanced hammer design ensuring a cleaner sound
- Custom-made SU118 bass strings
- The key length of a grand piano allowing for optimal expression
- Leather-lined music desk adding a touch of elegance
Yamaha YUS Series: YUS1 and YUS3 and YUS5
The Yamaha YUS Series is a significant upgrade of the US series, crafted from higher grade materials. At the heart of its fantastic quality is an innovative Ivorite keyboard. This replicates the feel and response of natural ivory but has better moisture absorption and fantastic control.
The difference between the three models boils down to the height - the YUS1 stands at 121cm tall, and the YUS3 and YUS5 are both 131cm tall. There are also differences in the features. The YUS5 is the most refined model, featuring premium mahogany hammers, and copper bass strings woven by hand to create a more rounded bass. It has a greater elegance than the S1 and S3, owing to its hand-finished cabinet.
Key features:
- Upgraded treble strings, delivering a vibrant high-end tone
- Premium hammer felt ensuring a responsive touch
- The tone escapement system allows for a fuller sound
- An anti-slip, artificial leather music rest keeps your music secure
Yamaha hybrid pianos
Yamaha’s hybrid pianos are an innovative series, bridging the gap between timeless acoustic instruments and the latest digital technology.
Yamaha Silent Pianos
The silent piano technology allows you to practise at any time of the day or night, using high-quality stereo headphones. It’s available with the U, YUS, SE and SU models and seamlessly integrates with any lifestyle.
Yamaha Transacoustic Pianos
The transacoustic upright pianos are classic acoustic instruments that incorporate a digital sound library; this includes orchestral instruments and electronic sounds. Unusually, the Yamaha transacoustic pianos use their own soundboard for digital sound generation which creates a more natural and immersive experience.
Yamaha Disklavier Enspire Pianos
What sets the Disklavier Enspire series apart is its advanced recording and playback system. With its high quality recordings, you can review your performances and share your music with others. Like the silent pianos, this series also offers the ability to practise silently with headphones.
Yamaha upright pianos from Rimmers Music
At Rimmers Music we are proud to stock an extensive collection of Yamaha Upright Pianos, including the B, SE, SU, U and YUS series. We also carry all three Yamaha hybrid technologies - no matter your preference, we’ll have an instrument to suit your needs. Choose from various sizes, colours and finishes, including stylish white and a rich mahogany.
We’re pleased to offer low-rate financing and a part-exchange programme to help make every pianists’ hopes of owning a Yamaha piano a reality. Additionally, we offer each player a tuning package to keep their piano in tip top condition.
Understandably, making the choice on an upright piano can be tricky and you want to be sure. We’d therefore recommend visiting our Greater Manchester piano showroom to give some different models a try. Our expert staff will be on hand to offer personalised advice and help you find the perfect piano.