PIANO REVIEW
YAMAHA
Maria Joao Pires
Elton John special - in red!
Now such a well known brand worldwide, deservedly so based on their consistency and durability. There are several model series which cover a range of price and quality levels. They all provide a fine bright tone with great clarity and definition.
Not many people know that the Yamaha corporation began with the manufacture of pianos over a hundred years ago, well before motor bikes and all the other products. This has given their pianos a rich heritage as well as a long period of technical development for which they are renowned.
Yamaha have been prominent in the development of Silent mode pianos as well as Disklavier player piano technology. These options are available on many of the uprights and grands.
Differences can be subtle between the Yamaha ranges and it important to compare them first hand to make the right choice. The voicing preparation we do can be especially useful to tailor the brighter tone to your own preference.
There are now five main upright series offering a whole range of sizes and cabinet colours. Popular examples are shown below.
The B series are made in Indonesia. They offer a reasonable quality piano for a moderate price.
Yamaha B1
Yamaha B2
The P series are made in the Kemble factory in Milton Keynes and are the first range to use the full quality Yamaha action and solid spruce soundboards.
Yamaha 114M
Yamaha P116
Yamaha P121
The U series has enhanced tonal quality and is made either at the Kemble factory or in Japan according to model. The new YUS series is a further step up toward the highest SU handcrafted uprights.
Yamaha U3
Yamaha YUS1
Grand pianos start with the GB1 4'11" model. This is Indonesian made but offers a quality piano for a reasonable price. The next model GC1 also offers good value for a larger 5`3” and is based on the C1 concert piano frame.
The full concert series grands are the C range going from the 5'3" C1M up to the 7'6" C7M. This range offers the full quality of tone. There are also higher level S series grands and a 9` CFIIIS concert grand.
Yamaha GB1
Yamaha GC1
Yamaha C2M
Please ring for details of other models you may be interested in