Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Yamaha NU1X and Glissandos

Hi guys,

I was just about to pull the trigger on the NU1X when I found one thing: I understood that the piano action was supposed to be based on a Yamaha acoustic, but then I tried some glissandos the keys were really stiff, I had to swipe harder than usual, and so it hurt a heck of a lot.

I immediately tried this on the U1 and U3 upright pianos and found that the glissandos were as easy to do as on my P515 piano.

For NU1X owners, how have your glissandos been on the NU1X? Did you experience any issues, differences in touch, etc?

A little frustrating, this piano ticks all the other boxes for me!

Thanks!

You should try a lot of different pianos to establish a norm. Not all pianos feel the same when you perform a glissando.

I don't know what an NU1X is, but this is something that a piano technician can take care of for you. There is simply excess key friction when side pressure is applied to the key, and in most pianos this can easily be addressed.

If the action is not actually a normal acoustic piano action, it may not be the same process - but tell the store they need to have their technician fix this before you can agree to buy it.

The NU1X is a hybrid digital piano. You should post in the digital piano forum.
http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthre...-electronic-pianos-synths-keyboards.html

Actually, this has to do with the acoustic action that is combined with digital sound.This action issue is common with acoustic pianos as well and it can be addressed. It is not a "fault", rather an adjustment. KawaiDon is spot on.

Is the amount of side friction only relevant for glissando playing?

Here is the issue, pianoloverus. Pianos were not designed to have glissandi performed on them. Using this technique frequently will put uneven wear on the front rail bushings, which will result in looser feeling keys. It might mean replacing those bushings sooner (which is not expensive).

Expensive is a relative term! Anything you do 88 (or 176) times will take a considerable amount of time.

How often does one play glissandi that it really becomes an issue?

Regards,

I think this is the real question that needs addressing!

alpha2735, I have played my NU1X almost daily for the past 18 months since buying it and I have not looked back. Only yesterday I played a glissando with no issues whatsoever. As the others have addressed, sounds like it could be an action issue that could be resolved but I really wouldn't let a somewhat lacklustre glissando put you off of purchasing one... people don't purchase pianos based on how well one can perform a glissando. They purchase one based on its action, responsiveness and tone but this is by no means an exhaustive list.

As I said, I have owned one now for 18 months so if you have any questions you want to address individually please do not hesitate to drop me a PM.

Will

maybe it needs to be regulated.

William -

Good to "see" you here in the forum. I have always enjoyed your posts.

Anyway, I agree that people rarely even play glissandos when choosing a piano, but I suspect the OP is a ragtime/stride player where it is used more often. I am only speculating, of course.

Waldstein Rag?

Rich - thanks a lot. That's really appreciated and I'm glad to hear that my posts and words aren't falling on deaf ears! It means a lot to have such kind words coming from an industry professional and regular PW member such as yourself. Likewise, I always enjoy your posts and insightful comments.

Addressing the matter at hand, it does seem unlikely that most people assess a piano with detailed emphasis on how well one can glissando. Then again, I appreciate that everyone has different needs for wanting to purchase a piano!

If anything, maybe I need to consider how well I can glissando on whatever piano I buy next... I love my NU1X but it is by no means my last piano!

Fascinating topic. Do hybrid pianos need regulation work done as do regular acoustic pianos?

My understanding is that they will need some maintenance/regulation at some point given they have 90% of the working parts of a full acoustic action (no felt hammers or dampers of course). I haven't owned my NU1X long enough yet for it to need any regulation but given how often it gets played and the type of repertoire I play/practise (the piano gets a pretty heavy workout), I suspect the action will need some TLC at some point.

I can't envisage that any 'normal' tech will be happy to take a look at the action given the electronics surrounding it all so suspect I will need to go via Yamaha when the time comes.

W.

... or any number of Prokofiev Rags?

Larry.

Access to the NU1(X) key action takes 5 minutes or less, half a dozen or so screws, two wires to disconnect. Fall board cover lifts out.

I took care of some lost motion and hammer blow adjustment myself last summer in lockdown. The main thing a tech needs to be aware of is if removing the keys the optical gratings attached to the base of the keys are fragile. The service manual provides information on electronic/optical regulation, or ask Yamaha for the information, it's done via the control panel. You would need to do this if changes to key dip or key bushings were done; ensures evenness of sound across the keys.

My piano teacher's tuner and tech, who is also a gigging musician has agreed to take on any serious regulation or repair work on my NU1. YMMV. Probably most techs just don't need or want the work.

Thank you William and Spanishbuddah. I didn’t know or really think about that before. It’s good information to know.