Yamaha U1 vs U3: Which Used Upright Should You Buy?

If a piano teacher in the GTA tells you to "get a used Yamaha," they mean one of two pianos: the U1 or the U3. They're the most-recommended used uprights on earth, they appear on Marketplace and Kijiji every week, and buyers agonize over the choice. From the bench — we tune both constantly — here's the honest comparison: what actually differs, what the price gap buys, the grey-market question every listing raises, and which one suits which home.

What is the difference between a Yamaha U1 and U3?

The U1 is a 48-inch (121 cm) upright; the U3 is 52 inches (131 cm). Those four inches are nearly the whole story. A taller upright has longer bass strings and a larger soundboard, which means a fuller, deeper bass, more sustain, and more volume — the U3 sounds closer to a small grand than the U1 does. Both share the same excellent Yamaha action design, the same build quality, and the same reputation for stability; the U3 simply has more instrument in it.

Everything else — reliability, tuning stability, parts availability, resale — is essentially equal. Both hold a tuning beautifully in a stable room, and both are the "reference" used piano for a reason: consistent, predictable, easy to service. (Where they sit in the wider brand landscape.)

How do the Yamaha U1 and U3 differ in tone and touch?

U1: clear, bright, articulate — the classic Yamaha sound. Excellent for students, lessons, and most living rooms. The bass is good, not grand-like.

U3: the same clarity with a richer, rounder bass and more headroom for loud playing. Advanced students, serious amateurs, and teachers tend to prefer it; in a small room it can be too much piano, and its brighter examples benefit from voicing.

Touch is nearly identical between the two — Yamaha's upright action is responsive and even on both. Individual instruments vary more than the models do: a well-regulated U1 beats a neglected U3.

How much does a used Yamaha U1 or U3 cost in the GTA?

• U1: roughly $2,500–$4,500 used, depending on age and condition; Japanese-built examples from the 1970s–90s dominate the market.
• U3: roughly $3,500–$6,500 for the same eras.

The premium for the U3 is real but not enormous; if the room and budget allow, the U3's bass is usually worth it for a player who'll grow. For a beginner or a compact room, the U1 is the better-value choice and nobody outgrows it quickly.

What is a grey-market Yamaha piano, and should I avoid one?

Many U1s and U3s in North America are "grey market" — built for the Japanese domestic market, used there, then exported and sold here. Yamaha's official position is that these were seasoned for Japan's humidity and may be less stable in drier North American climates, and the company doesn't support them under warranty. The technician's honest experience: many grey-market Yamahas are perfectly fine in the GTA when kept in a stable room, and some show the dryness-related issues Yamaha warns about — loose tuning pins, cracks. The difference is largely the individual piano's history since arrival.

So: ask the seller whether it's a grey-market import (the serial number and a look at the plate often tell), price it accordingly (grey-market examples should cost less), and — this is the non-negotiable — get a pre-purchase inspection that checks the pinblock's grip and the soundboard before money moves. A grey-market U3 that's lived in a Markham living room for a decade and holds tune is a fine buy; one that arrived last month is a question mark.

How do I buy a used Yamaha U1 or U3 safely?

Run the used-piano checklist — all 88 keys, interior with a flashlight, tuning history, where it's lived — and the seller questions from our Marketplace guide. Then, for any U1 or U3 (both are real money), make the sale conditional on a pre-purchase inspection — a service call ($115, $75 intro) at the seller's home that settles the pinblock, board, and action, confirms whether it's grey-market, and tells you plainly whether the price is right. Book one before the movers.

Common questions

Is the Yamaha U3 worth more than the U1?
Worth more, yes — richer bass, more volume, closer to a grand's sound, typically $1,000–$2,000 more used. Worth it for you depends on the player and the room: advanced players in a decent-sized room, yes; beginners in a compact space, the U1 is the smarter buy.

Are grey-market Yamaha pianos bad?
Not inherently — many are excellent in the GTA when kept in stable humidity. They should cost less, lack Yamaha support, and absolutely need a pre-purchase inspection of the pinblock and soundboard before buying.

How old a Yamaha U1 should I buy?
Age matters less than condition and history: a 1980s U1 from a stable living room beats a 2000s one from a damp basement. Japanese-built examples from the 1970s–90s are the sweet spot for value; check the serial and get it assessed.