Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Help to choose Yamaha U1, UX1, U10A?

I am in Canada and buying 1st piano for my 7 years old boy. I prefer below 3. I know nothing about piano. Can someone please give me some advise? What is difference between those models? I heard some grey market in US, what it is? Is grey market in Canada?

1/ U10A, 1992, $4200
2/ UX1, 1983, $3800
3/ U1A, 1986, $3700

Price are all ~ 4000. Which one is better choice? Appreciate your suggestions.

Input the serial number into this site to see if it's a made-for-N America model: http://www.yamaha.com/yca/pages/pianos/SerialNumberlookup.aspx

I decided against the grey market options. Didn't want to take the risk of the tuning pins loosening after a year or so, however, there are many people who have good luck with a grey market model.

As far as the models you mention, I can only comment on the UX1...I believe the X designation refers to the bracing on the back. I played a UX3 and it sounded decidedly better than a dozen other non-X models in the store. Of course, I am not an expert, and someone else might say the X means something else on a U1, but when I was looking for a U3, the X referred to the X bracing on the back.

BTW, I bought my U3 for 3k, but it's 34 years old. I had an extensive list of things to look at for assessing it's condition. You'd probably be wise to have a technician check out the one you want to get.

moonzh,

The U1 was basic 48 inch upright. UX1 had radial backpost, various upgrades. UTen newer model had different scale, upgrades, more time spent on voicing, regulation, etc which have all long disappeared by now especially if pianos have been refurbished.

Take each on individual basis as to sound, touch, and condition, which may not be as linked to age or model designation as one would think, probably more to use and maintenance--price accordingly. Plenty in archives as to gray market without me throwing any fat into the fire. All your dates fit into the correct productions runs for each model . . . always best to check serial numbers against official stats . . .


Mike

Thanks for valuable information. Sales told me that they are all original from Japan directly.

I am leaning to U10A because of it is "newer" (92) than other 2 (mid-80). But, I am not sure about if early-90 quality is better or worse than mid-80

The UX1 is definitely the superior piano if one was to AB them all as for quality,tone,structural etc. Of course it is condition contingent on all of them. The U10A is the mdl,that replaced the U1A as for domestic distribution in Japan. After 1986ish the U1(s)were not distributed in Japan though Yamaha still manufactured them for the export market as in the USA. The U10A is actually pretty nice piano though structurally it is a bit less built than a U1A. Thinner arms,less substancial case wise whereas that does affect the sound somewhat. The newness factor is the positive tradeoff for the U10A. Good luck!

Condition is everything. Two pianos, same model, same age: one has been beat to death in a conservatory or university practice room, the other has been lightly-used in a private residence...

Always hire a qualified tech to inspect a used piano before you buy.

Good luck with finding a nice piano for your son, moonzh.