Yamaha's Affordable Professional Upright: The U3

The Yamaha U3, the bigger brother of the U1, is very famous and well-liked amongst pianists, musicians, and even recording studios across the world, yet can be purchased for a rather affordable price at times on the used market. Let's take a look at this piano and see why everyone likes it!

[ldgalaxy]

I just purchased a Yamaha U3 and it is a very nice addition to our home. We had an inexpensive spinet type piano we bought over 40 years ago. It served our family well and my wife used it to teach piano lessons for over 25 years. It was not a high quality piano, but it encouraged two of our children to get music degrees, our oldest daughter has seriously studied the piano for the past twenty five years.
I have sat down and started giving myself lessons (I took lessons for eight years as a child) and my wife, who played on a high level in her youth, practices everyday for about an half hour. We decided to buy the Yamaha as a retirement gift to each other. (I retire in a few months and she retires in a couple of years)
At this point in our life we are able to afford a high quality piano, and the Yamaha U3 fits that bill. It fits well in our living room and we hope to enjoy this for many years to come.

[joeritchie]

The more I play digital pianos, the more I love the sound of an acoustic. I could really use this piano even if I do live in an apartment.

[AriKona]

When the power goes out, the acoustic piano starts playing. (As well as other acoustic instruments) The piano isn't as easy to carry with you as a guitar, but it certainly is one of the best sounding acoustic instruments that was ever made. Thanks again for your experience and wisdom when it comes to pianos, James. Of all your channels, this one remains my favorite and probably always will.

[kuma-san]

Really enjoyed your review on this lovely Yamaha. My U3 is from 1976.🙋

[scottpeng]

I'm super fan of Yamaha piano and have watched your videos for 2 years, thanks very much for your review. Great job!

[The_Smith]

So nice to hear that test piece again.

[kennethteo]

I have our U3A for a month or so and I love the tone and touch very much. Warm bright yet full rich tone. Placement of the piano is also important, 3 inch away from the wall sounds just nice for me, clear and warm at the same time. And my wife and son love it too.

[amaymankad]

Nice to see these piano store reviews return again.

[HEADLINEZOO]

Superb playing. Exquisite touch. Light years beyond the same performance from a few years ago. Hell of an upright piano at its price point. Good enough for most recordings of pop music.

[moldenburg]

The U3 is indeed a perfect workhorse. That type of piano that never fails and most of the time is affordable but it is not my most favorite one. O, I played on them a lot. But they don’t have that much karakter. They are good. Yes, but standard good. If you know what I mean. On the other site they are easy to play and take everything. But besides my humble opinion, thank you for sharing and playing.

[michaelmichael]

Excellent video! It's always nice to hear you playing and commenting on pianos.

[BRJ]

That's the same piano my teacher had! A great sounding instrument and the mechanics was superb!

[PatrickLedwig]

After piano, keyboard and toy piano reviews midi controllers reviews would complete the circle!

[michaelloughnane]

Wow, some coincidence - that's the same store where I bought my first piano years ago! I knew I recognized that place haha.

[worldgonemad]

I’m of the generation when these instruments were just pianos (keyboards were not really very good because there had been no advances in electronics) I have use both and there is a huge difference between the action of a mechanical piano to a keyboard. Yamaha are coming close to it but in my opinion nothing compares to the tone and amount of expression that is produced by different pianists on a real piano. I think all virtuoso pianists use ‘real’ pianos as opposed to the electronic keyboards. Certainly electronic keyboards imitate the sound well enough plus, as the reviewer rightly says, they are more compact and can produce many effects and voices and are more compact to fit in smaller homes but for my money, nothing beats playing a real piano.

[boblon]

I would love to see you review the new vx mason and hamlin concert grand. I saw that they had one at pianodisc a month ago.

[mumj]

Whats the name of the first two songs you played at around min 5? I heard you play em before on different keyboards but my god how amazing they sound on this piano.

[sriharshaa]

Please suggest best acoustic piano under 6000 usd for advanced players!

[martindooz]

Great review as usual, would you consider a review of the Kawai aures models? K300?
And in your opinion is a Yamaha u worth the extra cash over kawai k?

[davep]

Have you published your treble test piece? I think you talked about it in a video a while back and the fact that tons of people always ask, but I can't remember what video that was. Thank you!