[mwf]

Hi,

I am brand new to this forum and would like to say a big hello to everyone who uses this forum.

I am pondering over whether to purchase a new upright piano to replace my digital piano, a clavinova clp270. I have sold my clavinova already and need to buy a used quality high-end acoustic upright, I was looking mainly at Yamaha U1/U3. However my budget is only around £2400 max, so I need to find the best deal I can. I found my digital piano did not have all the colours and infinate tones I require with my advanced playing, it became annoying and I was increasingly disatisifed with the instrument. I have also been told there is far more control over the keys on an acoustic piano, for example I dont care what anyone says but you simply cannot produce a staccato effect on a digital instrument, they have not worked that one out yet, plus there is nothing you can do with the keystroke, its just on/off switch if you like.

I now want a decent acoustic, I have heard that the aspiring pianist should only practice on a grand, but I dont have the money for one, so I will have to settle for a very good upright. So the U series by Yamaha seems to be a favourite around the world, therefore I have decided to go with that.

I just wanted to ask if anyone knew any good places/shops to buy from and what age/serial no. I should get. With the budget I have it seems U1/U3's from the 70's/early 80's are my only choice....is this ok? I know of several places that say they have fully re-conditioned 70's U1/U3's to 'as new' condition and that they are very comparable to new U1/U3's. Work is apparently done on the loop cords, hammers etc..

However I keep hearing bad things about older U1/U3's made in the 70's or 80's, the fact that they have gone through much more wear and tear over the years and thus are not good chioces no matter how re-condtioned they are, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thank you

Please help me as I need to get a new piano asap as I dont curently have one!!!

[Barrie Heaton]

The rule of thumb is S/n 5ml up However, I visited a 1997 U1 a few weeks ago and it was just over played the bass was very tired so what ever you buy get a tuner to look it over first.

You will have to do some leg work and some travailing the bigger shops tend to turn over U1/3 quite quickly so i would see if they have a mailing list and state your interest.

Don't just narrow it down to the Yamaha make there are other makes outthere which are very good

Barrie,
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Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page