Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha NU1 ... just played one

I wrote the following ... The sound system - I said that I did not play with the volume cranked up but to be perfectly honest, I never play with the volume cranked up. The NU1 sounded just fine.

I went back and reread my entries and I apparently did not refer earlier in this thread to the sound system. I think I must have written about it and then edited my post for some reason. This is no big deal, I'm just trying to be honest and accurate.

Yes, no doubt that is true, but i don't think we should exaggerate it. A nice upright action is very expressive and still better than the miniaturised grand actions found in modern DPs, IMO.

I played I believe a N1 (or NU1) today. Not sure.
It had a list price of $15k, they told be it was a 2011 model and would to $10k on it.

It felt real.

However, there is a CLV 465G i like. Leaving slab world though.

Retail prices in my part of the world:

NU1 - $4,699
N1 - $7,500

When I made the deal on my N1, I didn't see the NU1 on the floor, or I would have played one. To be honest, I didn't ask to see one because I was convinced I wanted grand piano action. My N1 has proven a great practice tool for classical -- it allows me to play deep, and I'm able to easily adapt to my teacher's 9 ft grand. That being said, you have piqued my curiosity about the NU1. These hybrids are excellent practice pianos when one has the need to keep the volume turned down.

Dave, I forgot to mention, when I bought my N1, the store manager told me I will need to have the action regulated about every 3 years. You might consider having a Yamaha-trained tuner-technician adjust the action on your N3 before buying a new one.

Susan, I had the action of my GranTouch worked on after I had it for five years or so. It doesn't have to be a 'Yamaha trained tech' per se, a grand action is basically a grand action. At least the hammers don't need to be needled.

The GranTouch wasn't too difficult to open. I removed the action several times myself. The AvantGrand poses a slightly more difficult challenge.

+1, just that precisely.

They are different instruments IMHO from many digitals, which usually have lots more functions and capabilities. Each to his/her own requirement, and there are many excellent digitals (ignoring the quest on this forum for technical perfection).

I do 'extend' mine and add extra sounds (organs and EP's is what I'm occasionally interested in) by using midi. But my priority is the piano action.

The last time I played on both (N1 and NU1 beside each other) I found I liked the action on the NU1 better. I first time however I preferred the N1.

The order in which I played on them were reversed so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it but I did got back and forth on them. It may be the NU1 floor model was newer and it felt like that action was deeper somehow, the N1 action that time felt overly light.

Anyways, I think my dp upgrade will probably favor the NU1 because of price, looks, and sound. It would be a bonus that I prefer its action as well.

In my experience, the second impression is always the one to trust.



Interesting. I've also read the opposite, that the action of the NU1 seems lighter than the N1.

I've played the N1 and the NU1 side by side a few times now (well, they were, and still are side by side at the showroom....) and there's no question that the NU1's action is lighter, and more like that of an acoustic piano. The N1's action is heavier/more sluggish than that of any acoustic I've ever played - the Yamaha acoustic grands and uprights, including the CFX and CF-IIIS, are upstairs in the same premises, so it's an easy matter for me to check.

The N1 and NU1, I should add, have been there on display for some months (the N1 for slightly longer) but to all intents and purposes, their conditions are as new, unlike the N3 (which felt somewhat looser, having been on display for over 3 years).

I guess I should have played the darn thing (NU1) before making my purchase. The store manager had told me the NU1 definitely has upright action. I was looking for the deep feel of the grand action.

Since these have real piano actions I think you could have a technician work on them and regulate them to your personal preference. The lightness/heaviness factor should be highly adjustable.

On the other hand are there technicians who specialize in hybrids? (I doubt it!)

I think this has been discussed before. There is a thread where an N1 keyboard had some adjustments done, but not really a regulation. It was done by a certified Yamaha engineer.

Susan, Don't think about it. The grand action on your N1 is great for your continued inspiration. I don't care what anyone says here, upright action is not as good. I'm sure the same people will argue with me but I've lived with upright action for too many years and I never could sit and be inspired to practice as long as I can do now that I have my AG. I'd had plenty of good pianists come by, and they all love the action.

You made a good decision! stop reading and thinking and enjoy the moments you play.

Thanks, 36251. You are right.

I played the N1 and NU1 side by side when I was deciding what DP to buy. To be honest I didn't find that much difference between their actions. If anything, the NU1 was a little snappier to return, but that could just be because it was a bit newer. NU1 was possibly a bit lighter too, but there wasn't a lot in it.

We went for the NU1 in the end, and I'm glad we did. It looks great in our living room, and the whole family are really happy with it.

Cheers

Matt

New post on Youtube about the NU1 from Cosmo Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP1CKnDVhYA

Sounds nice.

HwyStar, Nice video demonstrating the NU1's features. But even this dealer admits it's an upright action. The store manager who sold me my N1 said he was able to offer me a good deal because most people looking for a hybrid piano can't tell the difference between the NU1 and N1 -- that being said, he indicated there is clearly a difference: grand vs. upright action. The NU1 looks very nice, but I'm happy with my choice.