Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Why does Yamaha U1 say Nippon Gakki?

Who got the better deal. I recently bought a 1984 Yamaha U1 used serial A3901056 for $2500 plus the cost to move it. Piano tech said it was like-new, hardly used. My mother-in-law in 1992 spent $2200 and got a Yamaha U1 577898. It says Nippon Gakki inside. Looked more worn out inside to me than mine but I'm not a piano tech. What year is this? Who got the better deal?

I'm not sure whether "better deal" should be the criterion here, unless, somehow, you are trying to out-do your mother-in-law. If you like your piano and she likes hers, what's the issue?

Only a good tech, examining each and then comparing the two pianos, can determine the relative worth of each.

Regards,

Mr.Yamaha renamed his company Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.
(Japan Musical Instruments) in 1897,
expanding into pianos as the more inexpensive upright piano
was gaining popularity.

Bear

A son-in-law who can't get a better deal isn't worth her daughter?

Nippon = Japan
Gakki = Musical Instrument

The history behind Yamaha is fascinating. Nearly as interesting as Steinway himself, and makes you appreciate the comapany. You see them more as artisans and not like the machine built 'Asian' maker some people make them out to be.

Well, this explains why on the action rail of my Kawai it says "Action manufactured by 'Kawai Gakki'"

Who got the better deal?
Those who sold you the pianos. They went all the way to the bank laughing with your money.

Yes. It is very funny my mother in law is the one who actually asked "who got the better deal." She was really trying to determine what was the year of the piano, as the person who sold it too her "out of a garage full of pianos" in LA did not have the originial owners manual.They did have a piano tech come to give the thumbs up and they paid $220 in 1992. The serial number for the Yamaha U1 is 577898. It says Nippon Gakki inside. I appreciate your help in this matter as you all were very helpful when I bought my used 1984 Yamaha U1 from an original owner for $2500.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/Text_WithCatMenu_XC/0,,CNTID%25253D12173%252526CTID%25253D410010,00.html

Wow! 1954 can it really be? It looks just like my 1984 U1 with some details that are different. Did they make those uprights with in the glossy black with the gold Yamaha letters then? Besides the number on the gold back plate, I think I also saw the number to right on the side. If it is a gray market piano with 577898 would that make it a different year or is this piano because it said Niko Gakki made in Hamamatsu, Japan for the US?

I was also told that Nippon Gakki = made in Japan.

Nippon Gakki means "Japan Musical Instrument"
The serial number, according to what I've seen, dates from the mid-to-late 60's. Also - did the piano come with a plastic envelope inside the front? Does it have, in fact, three pedals?

I recall it did have three pedals but I don't know about the plastic envelope. Where would that be located? What would the piano having or not having these items mean?

They formed Nippon Gakki in 1897 and produced theer first piano in 1901.

I remember it well.