Hi friends,

Looking to purchase a piano in the range of $2000 (new or used) for my condominium. Among the dozens of local ads, two have caught my attention:

1. A U1 with serial number H 1640XXX. The owner claims it is mint (cosmetically, at least) and that she purchased it for her daughter from a Yamaha conservatory about 10 years ago for $6000. She is asking $3000 (I could probably talk her down to ~$2000-2500), and

2. A Yamaha M1A 43" upright with serial number d3341XXX. The owner claims she purchased it brand new 4-5 years ago for about $4500. She is willing to part with it for $1500.

I played the M1A. It is a bit weak in the knees, but the sound is pleasant and could be suitable for a condominium.

Can anyone tell me how old these pianos are, based on the serial #s? And which of the two would be a better investment - tonal characteristics aside?

There are so many Yamahas in my local used market that I scarcely know which ones to bother going to see!

Hi Sherman S.
I can't help you on the advice part, but regarding piano age, I found this site to be useful : http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/pianoage.html

They did not have my piano listed so I used the inquiry form on the website with my model specifics & serial number. They responded within 24 hours!

Another resource that folks here recommended is the Pierce Piano Atlas. You might find it in your library if you don't want to purchase it. Good luck!

Great advice, KBS!!

And, welcome to the Piano World Forums, Sherman S.!

You might also find this Yamaha web site helpful, since both pianos you are looking at are Yamahas.

http://usa.yamaha.com/support/finding_age_of_yamaha_piano/

Also, if you can negotiate the price of the U1, that might be a better instrument for you, as it is a professional series.

Good luck!

Rick

Hi Sherman. Congrats on your upcoming piano! You must be so excited.

Great advice from KBS and Rickster.

Do you have a piano tuner/tech already? Getting a piano is almost like having a baby.. you want the Doc lined up well before delivery!

You will want your tuner/tech to check out any piano you are thinking of purchaseing. That applies to new & used pianos. Be prepared to pay them for their time to evaluate.

Good luck and welcome!

If you have the complete serial numbers - you can check to see if it was a used piano imported from Japan (AKA grey market).
Check them here (leave out the letters): http://www.yamaha.com/ussub/pianos/SerialNumberlookup.aspx

Yamaha U1 1.6 million will be a 1973. Unless it was rebuilt, it is pretty old and tired by this point. If it was rebuilt, might consider the level of rebuilding work done, or have it looked over by a tech who knows what to look for in that regard. Most rebuilt jobs on uprights are very cheaply done - particularly when the sole aim is to sell the piano with a new coat of paint at a profit.

If the owner of the U1 paid a dime over $2500 10 years ago for this piano, I'll eat my hat. New ones sold for closer to $5,500 around then.

The M1A will probably be a better piano if it's made for the USA. Only 10 years newer, it will still probably have a nicer overall tone (assuming the U1 is grey market). This is due to it likely having all of the original components, and pianos of this size don't tend to get played too heavily in my experience.

The M1A (Japan) was discontinued in the late 90s, and became the M112 when Yamaha started building it in Thomaston. This one is a 1983 - so... no, it wasn't purchased brand new in 2007 (even the M112 was discontinued by then, lol). Once again, if the person paid $4500 for it...

Well you know.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks so much for your insight. It confirms my own research - the U1 is from the early 70s, the M1A from the early 80s.

I had the privilege of speaking with a very kind, local technician who specializes in rebuilding old pianos. He advised that, in my price range, my best bet is a used Yamaha or Kawai that is 15 years or younger. He told me to "forget about" Yamahas 30+ years old, and I understand his concern.

It's such a headache pouring through advertisement after advertisement of private owners who don't have a clue what they own, and who are asking for the kitchen sink for it too.

For what it's worth, I played a brand new Irmler piano at a local "high end" shop. Cost was around $7300 and apparently it was built in the Czech Republic/finished in Leipzig. The tone was absolutely gorgeous.

Should start saving my pennies? Or do you have any recommendations about how I should go about my search?

The longer you shop - the more you'll spend.

There are two approaches to this:
1) Get something you like for right now (like the M1A), with the intent to upgrade to a better instrument when your budge allows you. If you are serious about owning a nice piano, carve out a budget, and a goal to reach that budget.

2) Find a way to afford what you consider to be your ultimate piano (at least, for the next 10 - 15 years ultimate).

#2 will save you money in the long run, #1 is instant gratification.

Hi Jeff,

In terms of the types of pianos I'm looking at and the price range I have in mind, would you say I'm on track?

Put another way, if you had $2000-$3000 (max) to spend right now, where/what would you be looking at?

Thanks again!

I'd be looking into a loan.

If I had to buy a piano with that amount of money, I would look for a late model Young chang, Kawai, or Yamaha. Young chang built in the 90s, Yamaha/Kawai built in the 80s or newer.

If your budget is $2k (as stated), the technician's suggestion is unrealistic.

You have lots of options in used pianos in that price range, but are much more limited in the new piano area. Just don't be in a huge hurry, speed is your enemy right now. You will be much more likely to find a piano if you give it some time and spend lots of time looking. On a good note, piano prices are pretty flat right now, and most sellers aren't willing to leave a legitimate offer on the table. Just make sure you get a technician to inspect any piano you are ready to put a serious offer on. You should do great if you take your time.

Many thanks, everyone. I'll take your opinions to heart.