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Hi everyone,

I’m currently considering purchasing an upright piano. I’ve pretty much narrowed this down to a used Yamaha SE132 or a brand new Yamaha YUS5 (not much difference in the price between the two.

I’m interested in people’s views on these two pianos, and if there is anything else for similar money I should consider, and why? I definitely want something 130cm or taller.

Thanks for your help

Jazzer

Hee's a recent PW thread on this issue.....

http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2832433/yamaha-se-series-upright-pianos.html

How "used" is the SE132?

The YUS line, as far as I'm aware, is made more or less to the specs of the CFX concert grand in terms of the strings, soundboard wood quality and felt used in the hammers.

It is pretty much the best upright piano available today.

Hi Carey, thanks for the reply.

I had read through that thread before posting. I think the general thrust of it is that you don’t get an awful lot more for your money with the SE132. I was looking at an SE132 that was 2 years old for the same money as a new YUS5. It’s gone now, so trying to decide if I should wait it out for another one to come up, or just go for the YUS5.

I may give a Kawai 800 another go and I quite like my parents Petrof 125, though I’d like a bigger frame.

Interested i what folk think about any of these and if it’s worth the wait for a used SE132 to come up. Can’t afford one new

Be sure to play the YUS you consider buying. I was underwhelmed by one example I’ve tried but liked the other.

I am not sure exactly what criteria are used to find "the best" piano. There is probably some subjectivity involved in such a designation. For some, it may indeed be the best upright available, if one chooses to ignore the offerings from Sauter, Bechstein, Steingraeber, Förster etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts on a Sauter Masterclass 130?

I have never played or seen One

Having said that - I’ve read & heard Great things about Them, from people whose opinions I value

It’s said They are well made, powerful, have a clear sound & the action (RR, double-repetition action) is very precise & responsive

They are had to find. However, I have located One, and was planning to see & play It this week. Now, looks like that might happen next week


~Lucubrate

The YUS5 bigs me the way the music desk/front panel pops out. Silly perhaps, but oh well.

I would rather have the SE

I love that feature! That bugs you? I mean, I don't have the piano yet, but I hate those low, little music desks that are attached to the inside of the fallboard. Also, the YUS5's desk, when pulled out, exposes a tone panel. I can't wait to hear it when open.

All the 122 and 130 Sauter uprights have double repetition and the most of the uprights I have played have a creative tone and a sensitive response .The models fall under the Classic , the Peter Maly and the Masterclass. The 130 pianos are my favourite. Also in other German uprights ,130 is a good size.
I did try 46 inch Bluthner which was very nice as well.
You just may find a used Sauter which would be nearer to the
price of the used SE132.

On Brand Profiles I only see the Yamaha SU7 and not the SE132 .I am not sure what the difference is between these models ?

Looking at the videos for the SE 132, they seem primarily in Europe? YouTube limitations noted but they sound nice.

Just a few words of correction. I think what is meant is double escapement. (Double repetition conjures up visions of bobbling hammers)
However, there is no actual double escapement in Sauter upright actions. Indeed, there are only very few examples of true double escapements in verticals, most of which never went into production.
Numerous companies have incorporated designs featuring springs and magnets to improve touch and repetition, Sauter among them. But this is not double escapement.

Well yes an extra auxiliary spring .Most people by now know
that Sauter has a much quicker repitition than many other uprights.They have been providing uprights with this action for a long time.The piano feels very much Ike a grand.
I find it strange that that you seem to think I am deliberately
providing false information !!!
Is this just more nastiness about Sauter. Perhaps its jealousy or its to try and promote other pianos. Personally I find it pathetic !

Wow! Where does all this come from? Let's all relax!
First off, I am a huge Sauter fan. I have visited the factory twice and I am "per Du" with Ulrich Sauter, with whom I have had quite a few one on one conversations.
I have no intention of promoting other pianos; my intention is promote factual information and the correct use of terminology.
Surely no one can take offense to that?

OK I am sorry . Sauter has had this action for quite a long time.
Double Repetition has always been Sauters and Ulrich Sauters description not mine .This other thread of a Sauter MC has just knocked me sideways for the time being.

For what is it worth I was in the Coach House yesterday morning trying out the Sauter Masterclass 122 as the 2000 Special limited edition had created a lot of interest. The latter has been sold but someone else insisted that they wanted that one and have apparently persuaded Sauter to make another. Anyway I tried the actions on the Sauter Masterclass and that was probably the best compared with a Yamaha SE which was the heaviest, a Kawai K300 which may have been the lightest, the Steingreiber & Sohne 130 and the Sauter 2000 special edition.

I would really appreciate it if you would edit your original post and remove the ad hominem attack on me. That post is a stain on your otherwise brilliant reputation here.

So 'OK I am sorry', as said by LadyBird, is insufficient for you?
Ian