[libby]

hi - i wonder if anyone can help. i have up to 3000 to spend on a piano and have been looking at yamahas. i have been advised to get a new piano (as good as i can afford) but today played a 1978 yamaha u1 which is just under 2500 pounds and loved it - i obviously can't afford a new u1 but am a bit concerned about the age of this one!! any ideas if it's a good deal anyone? or would i be better getting a new v114/v118 which is also just in budget.
any help appreciated
thanks
libby

[Barrie Heaton]

You can get a new U1 for &3,219.00 which is just over your budget if you get it in Natural Beech Satin Have you looked at the Irmler range by Bluthner the 122 @ 3,140.00 in a good buy

1978 is about the time Yamaha was getting them right with regards moisture in the timber However, be warned if you do have a problem and you need parts Yamaha are now asking for serial numbers and will not supply parts for grey market pianos. I would get a tuner to take a good look at the piano even if you are buying from a shop I have only come a cross one shop that objected to me inspecting a piano and that was a long time a go.

Barrie,
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

[libby]

thanks for your advice barrie - the second hand doesn't seem such a good deal against this new price. when i found the u1 at this price and enquired they said it was japanese but assembled in uk - other people have advised that i only buy an british yamaha from ? milton keynes factory. i'm afraid i'm very confused could there be new pianos on sale here that are not suitable for our centrally heated homes?
thanks for any comment - i'm really feeling in the dark here.
libby

[Barrie Heaton]

Only certain models and finishes are made at MK When buy a new one you are safe as all new Yamaha are well seasoned, plus you get a 5 year guarantee and any problems normally show up in the first 2 years if any.

All well made new pianos are made with dry environments in mind; however, damage can and is done to pianos that are placed in very dry hot environments. Also, environments that swing from 10% to 90% humidity like you get in conservatories

Barrie
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

[libby]

barrie - thanks again for your help
does anyone know how i check that the serial number corresponds to the date of manufacture that is advertised on a secondhand u1. thanks
libby

[Barrie Heaton]

(Japanese Produced) (UK Produced)



Year Serial No. Year Serial No.
1917 1,700 1984 1001-1039
1918 1,800 1985 1332
1919 1,900 1986 1953
1920 2,100 1987 1987
1921 2,650 1988 E224066
1922 3,150 1989 E229533
1923 3,650 1990 E235000
1924 4,250
1925 4,950
1926 5,700
1927 6,500
1928 7,751
1929 8,928
1930 10,163
1931 11,719
1932 13,368
1933 15,182
1934 17,939
1935 19,895
1936 22,397
1937 25,158
1938 28,000
1939 30,000
1940 31,900
1941 33,800
1942 35,600
1943 37,000
1944 38,000
1945 38,550
1946 39,250
1947 40,001
1948 44,087
1949 42,231
1950 44,200
1951 47,767
1952 51,621
1953 54,800
1954 57,000
1955 63,300
1956 70,000
1957 78,000
1958 89,000
1959 103,000
1960 122,000
1961 150,000
1962 185,000
1963 232,000
1964 295,600
1965 385,000
1966 694,000
1967 695,000
1968 810,000
1969 978,000
1970 1,113,000
1971 1,338,000
1972 1,528,000
1973 1,743,000
1974 1,953,000
1975 2,144,000
1976 2,150,000
1977 2,350,000
1978 2,560,000
1979 2,810,000
1980 3,020,000
1981 3,250,000
1982 3,580,000
1983 3,780,000
1984 3,990,000
1985 4,170,000
1986 4,320,000
1987 4,450,000
1988 4,580,000
1989 4,700,000
1990 4,890,000
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

[libby]

wow! i'm impressed - thanks for your time and dedication barrie.
you mention the pianoman on another post - are they reputable? how do they price their piano some cheaply? no one around here can touch their prices. do you know if they are they a recognised yamaha dealer?
thanks again for all your help
libby

[Barrie Heaton]

Yes the Music Box is a Yamaha dealer – the big dealers get a bigger discount than the normal dealer that is why they can discount so much . The internet has made it very hard for the small dealer as the big 3 are selling new Yamahas at the same price the small dealers are buying them for they just can’t compete with the price.

I have had clients who have bought new and second hand pianos form him and all have been very happy with his service, price and of course the pianos You have Rimmers in Southport who are Yamaha dealers and they do have a price promise their main shop is in Leyland They have just got in a new stock of grands.


Barrie,
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page