[Tessa]

I like the look of small modern case yamahas and I think one would suit my modest musical needs. Much has already been written on the forum about the B1 - and I can research current new prices pretty easily.

But what would a fair private second hand price be for good examples of its older cousins - the C110 and M108 - which to my eye look great and from what I've read still sound not too bad.

Also between what dates were these earlier models produced?

[PianoGuy]

The M108 is the definitive model really. Produced from the late 1970s and built in Japan. High quality casework, choice of quality veneers or thick poly ebony and good grade hammers. The C108 was introduced around 1988 as a cheaper alternative and ran concurrently, featuring cheaper casework and hammers. Black poly was the norm, of visibly thinner quality than the M. The M108 was soon discontinued, the C108 became the standard model with a choice of finish as per the M, and was joined by the budget E108. This was a very cheaply finished affair but at least the economies were limited to the casework, which was more often than not finished in a nasty wood-effect vinyl of micron thickness. Note that Japanese factory made all of these instruments.

Enter in the mid 1990s, the Eterna. A cheap design based on the C108 and was not built by Yamaha but by Pearl-River in China. A budget version of the Yamaha action was used, but the Yamaha name was limited to this and on discreet stickers on the inside of the top. This in slightly souped-up form and a re-cast frame became the C110 around 2001.

The M108, C108 and at a push if you can tolerate the cabinet, the E108 are all superior to the C110.

The current b1 is a beefed-up but generally similar design built in Indonesia in a Yamaha factory, and offers a better proposition to the C110.

Prices are tricky. I've seen M108s fetch more money at auction than a new b1, but you'd need really to want one to pay that much. I'd put a good M at around £1500 with a good C at £1300. Absolute minters maybe a tad more. Es I'd rate at less than a grand because of the appearance, and C110s at about £750. The superiority of the B1 which is still just about available while stocks last at silly discount prices has knocked C110 residuals for six. Eternas are scarce but £650 is fair.

These are very approximate prices for a private sale. Dealers will offer less and sell for more, as you'd expect.

[Tessa]

Very helpful thank you.