Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum kawai 1979 BL61 vs 1980 US50 vs 1982 yamaha U3

Hi,

I was with this great forum for a month. This is the best piano forum. I'm looking a piano for my daughter (8) who is going to start her lesson next month. My time for searching is very limited so I plan to put the order this Saterday.

Since we (my wife and me) know nothing about music and I don't know how long my daughter will keep up on the piano, I don't want spend more than $3000 for the piano. Later if she really like playing, maybe we can spend money to get a real piano.

I read the piano book 2nd, 3rd, 4th editions, learned that upright piano should started with 48". The gray market Yamaha and kawai around 80s seems to be the best choice for me at this moment.

Kawai BL61, US50 and Yamaha U3 are both 52", the price of US50 is $500 more than BL61, U3 is $200 more than US50.

Can some one tell me the major difference between above three?

Also Kawai BS25 is 50", how does it compare to BL51 and US50?

It seems very confusing about old kawai models, I found this information in the web:

kawai upright:
before 1970 K8,K20.K35.K48.K50 KSC.KS1.KS2
1970-1980 KU1,KU2,KU3,KU5,BL11.BL31.BL51.BL61.BL71.BL82
1980-1990 KS1F.KS2F.KS3F.KS5F.NS15.NS25.NS35.CL2.CL3.BS1A,BS2A. BS3A,US50.US55.

Which above series were the professional line (like current kawai K50,K70)?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

The last US50 I sold had a grand piano style music desk, arms and fallboard. And it had an incredibly big, sonorous bass, and a tenor and treble that were rich but not overly bright.

It was a bit newer than the one you're looking at, but if yours is a similarly designed instrument and hasn't been played to death, I'd choose it above a U3 or BL61. They're both good pianos too, but in my opinion the scale design on the US50 produces a fuller, more beautiful tone.

Structurally (observe the backposts and harp) it's probably more substantial than the BL61, but about equal to the U3. I hope you drag along your daughter's teacher so he or she can play each piano for you, and let you hear which one sounds best. A good technician's evaluation will be helpful too, in detecting any problems before you decide to buy.

-Jimbo

HI everyone.Am new here as well and have the same dilemma as to which to choose,ie Kawai US50(1982)and Yamaha U3(1979).The U3 costs about SGD1,000(USD700)cheaper however the salesman claims that the US50 is a better model.Appreciate any advice from any one as my wife and i are clueless as to which to buy for our 6yr old son who just started playing.

What Jim Volk said. +1

Bear

The Kawai US50 and the Yamaha U3 are as different as night and day as comparison of 52" artist level uprts. I sell both and the personal subjective opinions of the players can go either way. The action geometry is totally different between the two.They sound totally different .They look totally different. Some of the players prefer Kawai's grand style music rack as opposed to Yamaha's flip down deal which is a standard in the industry. They are equal in quality though the Kawai has always been a sleeper compared to the Yamaha U3 as in the marketplace. Condition is paramount. The other newer Kawai US mdls. I think are an upgrade in tone quality, US55,US60,US63H,US70,US75 and the US80.A newer U3 is also superior to the 1979 not due to age only. Now you're really confused!

P.S. Forget that BL61

Tks for yr valuable inputs .very enlightening!things sure can get technical!if only it was so simple just to buy a piano.to further confuse me was my son's music teacher just recommended me to buy a new Yamaha JU109 instead of paying "more" for an old 15-30yrs U3/US50!oh dear...i'm getting a headache..

I don't understand the logic that dictates that only 48"-52" pianos are suitable for an eight year old beginner. I do not understand the conclusion that only 25-30 year old gray market pianos are the best choice for $3000 budget. I sorry, but I believe your research is leading you in the wrong direction. All pianos deteriorate with age. They don't last forever.

A new Yamaha Cable Nelson CN116 45" piano will better suit your needs and budget. You will get much more consistent performance and a warranty for the same money. You will get 30+ years of good musical life from this new piano. You will be lucky to get 5-10 from the ones on your list.

The music is not so pretty from beginner fingers. 48" and 52" pianos amplify this not so pretty sound. A good new 45" piano can take your family all the way up through the upper intermediate stages just as well as the taller ones. Advanced work should still be done on a grand.

Tks for yr comments!Have just bought a U3 for about USD2945.Serial no:4261351 i think was mfg in 1986.Except for a few minor scratches the piano sounds great!Luckily my sis-in-law plays and helped me pick this one.Will arrive next Thurs after polishing it.Price includes free delivery,compartment stool,one tuning,i yr guarantee.Finally!!!Tks Craigen,Pianobroker &Bear 1.

Hey sycamore3,

Congrats! Best of luck with your "new to you" Yammie U3.
Wish you many years of enjoyment playing that nice piano.

Cordially,

Bear

Congrats Wow! that piano sells for considerably more as a preowned piano in the states (US)
You savy buyer you !