Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Which would you buy? -- New B3 or Used U1 (~5Yo)

New thread based on recommendation to focus discussion on Yamaha new B3 vs used U1

Originating thread here -- I am looking for a piano and narrowed it to a Yamaha upright. Just so happens there is a used U1 in the store with a new B3. My budget os $5k-$7K
http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2948978

New B3 ($5800 - $6050) or Used U1 (2014/2015) ($6500) -- The U1 was purchased from the same store that is currently selling it on consignment a few years prior and the lady who is selling bought it for a daughter that played it occasionally and has now moved out.

Are there any major differences to note between the U1 and B3? The sales guys say the B3 is the old U1 and really is no different. I played on both and the only really noticeable difference was the key action felt better on the U1 and sound was a bit crisper (Although the sales guy said they can "voice" the piano to however I want it to sound, brighter or mellow etc) Is that true?. The sales guy said a new B3 will break in and have the same key action, true or false?


MODS:: if this is considered duplicate, can delete it.

I answered in your original thread.

Yes, the recommendation is for the 5 y/o U1 (my thinking as well) but the OP had this questions:



If the B3 is really no different from the U1, why is a new U1 so much more expensive than a new B3?

TD, you are probably too busy to answer this question, but maybe someone else here can?

The U1 has a better tone and response..It is an all round more musical instrument.

Definitely the U1 if your tech approves it and you like playing it more than the b3.

So, what are the differences? We are all saying "buy the U1" but none of us are saying why (myself included!)

I remember having a piano tech explain to me the differences between two different levels of G-series grands, and also between the G-series and the C-series. I've now mostly forgotten those distinctions but the take-away I got was that, there are design, structural and material differences, and that is what is responsible for the price difference. And, crucially, those differences make the C-series instruments more stable and reliable, for example, in terms of tuning stability.

So, that's all regarding grands, but I'm guessing the same details exist for these two upright models. Can anyone elaborate on that?

Here's a start - but the specs on each instrument seem fairly sparse......and sometimes inconsistent - even from the same sources (inluding the Yamaha website) . So it would appear that the specs alone don't tell the whole story. I get the impression that, aside from where the pianos are built, the two models are geared to different markets - the B series being more suited for students, and the U series for professionals.

Piano Pricepoint - Model: b3
Made in: Indonesia
Features: Full length ribs into a notched liner ~ Solid soundboard ~ 4 Backposts ~ Solid copper wound bass strings ~ 4 Ply hard maple bridges ~ Aluminum alloy action rails ~ Yamaha balanced action ~ Spruce keys with hardwood buttons ~ Cut thread tuning pins ~ Mute pedal ~ Yamaha designed hammers with T-fasteners ~ Vacuum Shield Mold Process (V-Pro) plate ~ 10 year warranty

Alamo Music - Model B3
Finish:Polished Ebony
Width: 152cm (60")
Height: 121cm (48")
Depth: 61cm (24")
Weight: 237kg (522.5 lbs)
Number of Keys: 88
White Key Surfaces: Acrylic Resin
Black Key Surfaces: Phenolic Resin with Wooden Filler
Pedal Type: Shift, Muffler, Damper
Hammer Type: b Series Special
Caster Type: Single caster (Chinese Supplier)
Key Cover Lid/Fallboard Locks: No
Soft-Close Fallboard: No
Frame Type: V-process
Back Post Number: 5

Piano Pricepoint - Model: U1
Made in: Japan
Features: Full length ribs into a notched liner ~ Solid spruce soundboard and ribs ~ Acoustibars ~ Solid copper wound bass strings ~ Hard maple bridges ~ Aluminum alloy action rails ~ Yamaha balanced action ~ Spruce keys with hardwood buttons ~ Cut thread tuning pins ~ Mute pedal ~ Yamaha designed hammers with T-fasteners ~ Vacuum Shield Mold Process (V-Pro) plate ~ Seasoned for destination ~ 10 year warranty

Alamo Music - Model U1
Speaking Length of #1 bass string: 46.8"
Hammer Weight: 22 lbs.
Soundboard Dimension: 2137 square inches
Material: Spruce
Back Post Material: Spruce
V-Pro Plate: Yes
Bridge Material: Hard Maple
Pinblock Material: Hard Maple
Tuning Pins: Cut thread
Center Pedal: Mute
Metal Action: Rail Yes
Seasoned for Destination: Yes
Soft-Close Fallboard: Yes
Number of Keys: 88 keys
Pedals: Soft Pedal, Mute Pedal, Damper Pedal
Finishes: Polished Ebony, Satin Ebony, Satin American Walnut, Polished American Walnut, Polished White, Polished Mahogany
Also available as Disklavier ES Series: U1E3; Silent Series: U1SG
Height: 48"
Width: 60"
Length: 24"
Weight: 502 lbs.

I have played 2 B3's in my search for a piano, one at a dealer and one from a private seller. From that experience my opinion is B3's are not as nice as U1's. I have no idea why, but I know these B3's didn't make me want to buy them.

The whole point is that a U1 is a really expensive instrument these days.
Find out and try the P22 .This is the institutional Yamaha piano and has
much better musical qualities than the b series instruments.Better tone,
and action.The tone in the b series I thought really quite poor.

I agree with the fact that the U1 is better.
And a used fine tuned and prepared instrument is better than a brand new.