Best Yamaha Upright Pianos Guide (2023)

 Yamaha has been crafting high-quality pianos for over a century and has built a reputation for being durable, reliable, and having exceptional sound quality. All of their pianos offer great value, providing high performance while remaining affordable. 

Among Yamaha’s most popular upright pianos are the U series, P series and YUS series. Each series has different features that suit amateurs, professionals, and teachers depending on their specific needs. 

In this article, we will look at these three series of upright pianos, sharing their characteristics and differences and giving our opinion about which upright piano is best for everyone, from beginners to advanced pianists.   

Materials and construction of Yamaha pianos 

The materials used to craft a piano affect the touch, tone, and sound quality. For example, the type and quality of spruce selected for the soundboard (the large vertical board at the back of the instrument), can influence the resonance, and as a consequence, the tone.  

Yamaha’s acoustic pianos have thousands of moving and reverberating parts, making them very complex instruments to build. Most of these moving parts are made of wood, and so a vital part of a piano maker’s job is to select woods with the right properties and characteristics, so that your piano makes a beautiful sound.  

We will look at some of the key components of Yamaha’s pianos and why the wood selected is important.  

Soundboard 

A soundboard is there to resonate and amplify the sound coming from the vibrating strings. Yamaha uses European, Asian or North American spruce for the soundboard because this wood is pliable, meaning it can resonate for a long time.  

The construction process for a soundboard can take up to two years due to the drying process, which involves air and kiln drying. Yamaha has one of the largest kilns in the world for this process. 

Bridge 

Between the strings and the soundboard is something called the bridge. The bridge is what transfers the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard. To do this, hundreds of pounds of downward pressure is exerted on the bridge by the taut piano strings. To withstand this pressure, a dense hardwood is required for the construction of the bridges.  

Yamaha uses hard rock maple for the bridges of many of its upright pianos, which is 25% denser than regular maple.  

Keys 

The keys are a vital component of the piano. They are your contact with the instrument and therefore must feel good. A good piano key has enough resistance so that you can control the sound, but be light enough to provide very fast repetition.  

The wood used for the keys, therefore, needs some elasticity and Yamaha generally uses Sitka or Japanese spruce.  

Hammers 

The wood selected for hammers must be light to allow for fast acceleration. Walnut and mahogany are good examples of such lightwoods often selected for hammers. 

Are Yamaha pianos good quality? 

Before buying a Yamaha piano, you may be wondering whether they are good quality. 

High-quality materials combined with economy of scale manufacturing mean that Yamaha is one of the most competitive piano manufacturers in the market. 

The benefit of Yamaha is that every piano it produces has a good quality-to-cost ratio. With a reputation for durability, and longevity of high performance return, Yamaha pianos, whichever series you look at, are good quality and built to last.  

As we explore Yamaha’s series of upright pianos we will discover their differences and uncover various factors that may affect your piano selection. 

Yamaha U Series: U1 and U3 

Yamaha U1 in black available at Coach House Pianos 

Widely known as ‘the world’s most popular upright’, the Yamaha U series is renowned for its quality. These models are popular among amateurs, professionals, and teachers due to being good “all-rounders”; bright, clear, and forgiving, yet with enough responsiveness to suit advancing and more experienced pianists. 

The U1 is 121cm tall, while the U3 is 131cm tall. The difference in height means that the U3 produces a fuller sound and a more resonant tone due to the length of the strings and the larger soundboard housed within the taller cabinet. 

Key Features of the U series: 

• Excellent Sound Production
• Soft-close Fallboard
• Redesigned hammers
• Solid Asian spruce soundboard
• 100% manufactured in Japan

Discover our second-hand U series upright pianos at Coach House Pianos 

“The Yamaha U series uprights have a justifiable reputation as the benchmark upright pianos in the education sector. Their high quality materials, solid construction, and refined performance make them the best value for money for schools, universities and music academies.” 

David Halford, Education Business Manager at Coach House Pianos 

Yamaha P Series: P116 and P121 

Yamaha P116 in white available at Coach House Pianos

The two models in the P series are the P116 (116cm) and the P121 (121cm) and they are both considered excellent compact uprights for the home or practice rooms. 

Even as a more affordable piano series, the P116 and P121 are constructed with the same level of care as any Yamaha piano giving them a warm tone and quick responsiveness. 

This series does not have the soft close fallboard or lock, but this doesn’t detract from the quality of touch and tone.  

Key Features of the P series: 

• Traditional Style Cabinet
• Solid European spruce soundboard
• Maple Bridges
• Pedals: Damper, Muffler, Soft
• Available in polished black or polished white, with the option of chrome fittings

Discover our second-hand P series upright pianos at Coach House Pianos 

“The Yamaha P series upright pianos are best suited for school practice rooms, classrooms, or domestic environments. The warm tone is particularly conducive to smaller spaces.” 

David Halford, Education Business Manager at Coach House Pianos 

What is the difference between Yamaha U and P Series? 

While the U series is manufactured in Japan, the P series was originally manufactured in the UK, before transferring to a facility in Indonesia in 2008.  

The P series uses a high altitude Austrian spruce for the soundboard, which gives the pianos a more “European” tone. This tone is characterised as being warmer and more mellow, typically suited to classical music and certain types of jazz. 

It is worth noting that touch and tone can be adjusted to suit your taste by our in-house expert craftsmen, so bear this in mind when considering which piano is the best fit for you. 

 Yamaha YUS Series: YUS1 and YUS3 and YUS5 

Yamaha YUS3 in black available at Coach House Pianos

Crafted in Japan, the YUS series is a more premium version of the U series, with higher grade materials, ideal for those who require a piano to fit a smaller space without compromising on incredible touch and tone. 

The YUS series offers a full and rich sound and is the highest quality of the three Yamaha upright piano series we have explored. The three models in the series are the YUS1 standing at 121cm tall, and the YUS3 and YUS5, both 131cm tall.  

The YUS5 is built on the same frame as the YUS3, but the improvement on this model is that it features an opening front panel, which greatly enhances sound projection. The YUS5 also has longer keys for a more responsive touch. 

Key Features of YUS series: 

• Solid Asian spruce soundboard
• Hand-wound European Bass Strings
• Concert Quality Hammer Felt
• Advanced V-Pro Frame
• Aluminium Action Rail
• Soft close Fallboard
• Pedals: Soft, Mute, Damper
• 100% manufactured in Japan

Discover our second-hand YUS series upright pianos at Coach House Pianos 

“The Yamaha YUS series of upright pianos are best suited to the more advanced pianist, looking for extremely refined performance quality. The YUS models are popular with piano teachers and with specialist music schools.” 

David Halford, Education Business Manager at Coach House Pianos 

What is the difference between Yamaha U and YUS Series? 

The YUS series is a more refined version of the U series with additional features. These features include: 

• a tone escapement system that releases sound from inside the piano, enhancing the playing experience,  
• an artificial leather bed on the shelf of the music rest, which prevents music sheets from slipping, 
• upgraded treble strings,  

• and a premium hammer felt  

This extra attention to detail makes the YUS series a step above the rest. 

New vs second hand Yamaha Upright Pianos 

Next, aside from deciding which piano to select, there is the question of whether to opt for a new or second-hand model. 

There can be significant benefits to buying a second-hand piano rather than brand new, one of which is the maturity of the soundboard. As the wood matures over time, the tone of the piano becomes richer and warmer and with a second-hand piano the maturing process has already begun. 

One argument for purchasing a new piano instead of a second-hand one is the warranty, however, at Coach House Pianos we offer a 5-year warranty on all new and second-hand pianos. 

It is important to know what to look out for when buying second-hand, such as cracks in the soundboard or frame, signs of wear on the hammer felts, and more. If you want to learn more about what to look out for when buying second-hand piano, check out our comprehensive guide of what to look for when buying a second-hand piano.  

What is the best Yamaha piano for a beginner? 

It is no surprise that due to their affordability, Yamaha pianos are one of the most popular brands for beginners.  

In terms of affordability, the P series is within the lower price bracket, so many beginners choose these pianos. The P116 and P121 make lovely starter pianos, being compact, responsive and with a gorgeous European tone and design.  

The U series is arguably the most popular and well-known series of upright pianos from Yamaha. The U1 and U3 models can be found in many educational establishments due to their reliability and relatively low maintenance costs. 

The YUS series is perhaps aimed at the slightly more experienced pianist who has mastered basic technique and is looking to upgrade to a piano with more advanced features. 

Of course, no matter your level of piano playing, when selecting a piano it is important to come and try it before making your decision. By experiencing the touch and tone of the different piano models you will no doubt discover your preferences and the experience may influence your final selection - beginner or not. 

Book an appointment at Coach House Pianos to try our range of Yamaha pianos.