Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Yamaha U2

I went to a small piano exhibition and it sells some used piano.
I come across a Yamaha U2.
The saleman said it was Japan made as it has 7 digits for the serial number.
It's priced at 7800MYR, which is about 2500USD.
15 years old..
the tone is alright, but as the exhibition is at a shopping mall.. can't really hear the voice clearly..
anyway, i would like to know the difference between U2 and U1 despite the physical features.
anyone having a U2 here?
I heard it was mainly for the Japanese market.. while U1 is distributed over the world. Is it true?

Yes it is.

Typical grey-market model...

Norbert

Yamaha U2 is 50" tall.It is without legs and toeblock. This model is not sold "new" via Yamaha USA or Canada or ? anywhere in North America. U1 is 48" tall. In that you are in Malaysia that mdl. may very well have been available new.

Norbert, what do you mean by grey-market.
Thanks for the info pianobroker, the U2 I came across is a 15-year-old used piano.
Any big difference between U1 and U2 in term of actions, tone etc.?

Norbert, what do you mean by grey-market.
Thanks for the info pianobroker, the U2 I came across is a 15-year-old used piano.
Any big difference between U1 and U2 in term of actions, tone etc.?

That is very new for a U2.I have never seen one in the states that "new" in the grey market pianos. That very well may be a great find though I would check the serial # in that some salesmen tend to stretch the truth. Is there a letter designation after the U2. H,M,A?

Hmm, I don't really get to recall the letter. However, the digit starts with 17XXXXX.
I have read some other posts on U2. It was known that it was used very much for educational purpose and in the end got discontinued at 1999.
So, there is in fact a risk for a U2 isn't it?
I will go and ask in more detail on the U2.
pianobroker, could you tell me what's the thing I need to watch out for a U2?
Thank you in advance

serial# 17XXXXX is of 1974 The salesman stretched the truth a bit.(34 years new)Probably a U2H
The things to watch out for is broken repetition springs,worn key bushings,dying bass strings (copper wound),loose pins,evidence of rusted steel strings,worn action,loose flange screws uh.........easier to list the things not to look out for
The major thing to look out for is lying salesman

oh, thanks pianobroker. Guess i have to stay away from that salesman.
Anyway, do you hear of a brand called Weinstein and Sons. I had one which is about 15 years old I think. The salesman said he will trade it in for 500MYR, which is a mere 150-159USD.
I would like to know about the value of my used piano. In case it was too low, I would not like to trade it for another used one or even a new one. After all, I was with him throughout my piano journey until I finish my grade 8 despite it wasn't an outstanding piano

People who post on the Adult Beginner in Singapore... thread can help you to locate good dealers. That thread is here.

Where is the exibition held?
Well hope you'd not be taken aback by old U2. Sometime it has been refurbish by a competent shop, with good parts, new string and finishings.
It my be as good as "new". Of course the regulation and voicing must be done well by a trained correctly engineer.

Look into the actions, is it new parts? On the other extreme, a U2 of 40~50yrs with no refurbishing is not very advisable. you know those wear and tear, loose parts.. clock-clock sounds

Listen to the piano, does it speak to your ear and soul? It if does, consider if it's worth it, bargain a bit, pretend to walk away, then bargain again... oh i don't really need a piano.. hhmmm let me chk with my hubby... aa.. i'm thinking if you can sell me at _____ this price... that's what i can afford.. try all your tricks lah. My teacher recommend me... if your piano is good, i got many relative/friend i can recommend ..... white lies - you naughty naughty

Displayed price is there for a reason. I'm sure the sale ppl is flexible if the customer display some form of genuity ;D target:rm6800

thanks for the advice snoopycar. it was held at Seremban where i live near there.
FogVilleLad, i know about that thread but it is mostly on singapore, which is another country than malaysia. It is not that easy for me to get a piano from singapore.
anyway, i don't find that company convincing. Testing a piano in a shopping mall is indeed very difficult to identify the tone.
Guess i have to go to some warehouses or piano shop someday..
snoopycar, any nice shops that you know around selangor and negeri sembilan?

Tell you something, don't know if you will accept. I know, you know, nothing compares to a real piano, no digital. But when i visit my wify place at JB, i alway wants to play the Yamaha CLP-120 - doesn't matters it doesn't have GH3 hammers touch. The reproduction of tone is so realy, sounds really convincing - got the "tink.. sweet timbre". Everytime i play, i want to buy a grand piano.

It it possible to drop by a yamaha shop to try out some of the CLP digital pianos? If you see a 2nd CLP-120 grab it quick.

My i know what's your plan?
Are you upgrading?
Buy a 1st piano to learn?
Ai ya.. join us at the Singapore forum lah.
There are KL members there too ..
Where is jarjar ???

well, I own a keyboard DGX520. Though, it's not weighted, but then I still find the sound lacking a bit.
I was so surprised to hear the sound for the first time i played my keyboard. However, as time passes by, my ears start to get more and more used to the sound until I find incapability of that digitally synthesised voice.
I want to upgrade my current piano, should be on a very low budget. Therefore, a smart choice on a used piano will be the best though there's still a chance that i might go for a grand piano as i have a hall that can fit a 6" perfectly in my new house.
Do you mean the Singapore Adult Beginner thread, or which forum do you mean?
It would be my pleasure to learn more on piano shopping for sure~

yes i mean the thread.
oops sorry i didn't read you have finish your grade 8 ....
So can you play the Chopin Fantasia impromtu ??

Upgrade? oh you need $$$ more the better, more statisfying piano. The right piano will be with you for a long long time. So it's wise to save up and increase your budget to get the best $$ can buy.

let migrate to the singapore adult beginner or expert thread

"Anyway, do you hear of a brand called Weinstein and Sons..."

tanjinjack... i heard weinstein pianos need to be tuned/serviced almost every month to bring back its sound quality...

Kua Kua ..... that sounds extreme.

might as well tune it all out-of-tune and play ragtime music all day long... no need to tune anymore

well, i should say it's pretty out of tune now....
i have had my technician tuned it for several times but he did not tell me about that it should be serviced that frequently. are you sure of it? mcsmdm..
anyway, where is it from..
it's still a mystery for me, even i have spent years on it...

yes im pretty sure... almost all piano techs/tuners tell that weinstein pianos should be tuned almost every month... that is why the resale value is so low... simply because that brand is considered very low quality... if your tech would tell you that it's the nature of your piano, then he wouldn't have a job, isn't it?!!! and maybe you would just sell it... to relieve the burden.... i should say...