YAMAHA UX UPRIGHT PIANO, A POPULAR CHOICE OVER 40 YEARS
The Yamaha Piano Company has been making pianos since 1887. Using a blend of quality craftsmanship and advanced piano engineering, they have become known as one of the top 5 piano makers in the world. Most people agree that Yamaha quality and technology increases over the years
but some technician, pianist will argue that the 1970s to 1980s were the ” Golden age” of Yamaha
piano, which lead by GENICHI KAWAKAMI, the ceo of Yamaha during the 70s.
Many people are familiar with the popular Yamaha U1 upright and U3 upright. However, not many of them heard of the “X” line up. You may wonder where they got the X designation from. Typically model numbers of pianos are either arbitrary numbers or letters, or sizes of the piano. In the case of UX, there is something significant about the model name – The back post.
If you go to the back of a UX1 you will see something you may have never seen before. The usual construction of a piano is to have vertical support back post in its back, the UX has an “X” support. This is to support the tension of the strings
better and thus enabling the piano to hold its tune longer and produces a deeper, richer sound than normal pianos.
1. Made in Japan, Flagship upright series during 1980s
UX series pianos are manufactured in Japan, using higher grade materials than the standard U series. The front panel is vented to allow more sound from the front of the instrument. You can see clearly from the photo, the fallboard design is different from the U series.
With the excellent use of material and craftsmanship, for many years this was the top choice for practice and teaching studios across Asia, Europe and US. However, since of the price of Japanese labor has made the UX series less
competitive, the production was very small and it is very rare to find UX series in Malaysia used market as well.
2. Specification, 131cm Tall (Tall is good)
|
Size
|
154(W)
x 131(H) x 65 (D) cm |
|
Metal
action rail |
Yes
|
|
Soundboard
material |
Solid
Spruce |
|
Back
Post |
X style
|
|
Tuning
pin |
Blued
Pin |
|
Key
Surface |
Acrylic
Resin |
|
Hammer
|
Mahogany
|
|
Center
Pedal |
Practice
Pedal |
|
Music
rak |
Normal
upright |
Spruce Soundboard
At the Yamaha lumber mill and wood processing facility, the finest spruce is quarter sawn; and less than 20% of the total is chosen and reserved for Yamaha piano soundboards. Solid spruce, is the choice in all fine pianos for the best amplification of sound, best tone and stability.
Full Length Ribs
Yamaha UX reinforces the crown in its soundboards by using ribs that continue to the edge of the soundboard, and are glued into the notched liner (or inner rim on the grand piano). Reinforcing the crown ensures that the tone quality will remain for years and years and improves tuning stability. This is why UX piano can last longer compare to other normal series.
V-Pro Plate
Yamaha UX uses V-Pro (Vacuum Shield Mold Process) in casting the iron frame (plate). V-Pro plates are stronger and visually more appealing. This is one of the most valuable patented technology by Yamaha and V-PRO technology greatly increase the stability of tune and also withstand high tons of string tension. 
Metal Action Rails
Yamaha engineering developed a unique Extruded Aluminum Alloy Action Rail (bearing a Yamaha patent) that is one of the best innovations for improving a piano action in the last 100 years. The usual fluctuations in wood rails that effect touch, caused by periodic weather changes, are eliminated allowing stable, long-lasting action regulation.
Balanced Action
Each key of a Yamaha UX piano is individually measured for the corrections needed to obtain uniform “down weight” pressure. Yamaha UX actions play correctly and uniformly. This balancing helps ensure a lifetime of superior touch and control across the keyboard.
Spruce Keys
Yamaha uses Spruce for the keys on all high end UX Series model. Spruce is very light and possesses a very high ratio of strength to weight. It is ideal for key construction, even though its cost is greater than either sugar pine or bass wood. Yamaha keyboards respond quickly providing fast repetition for the most intricate piece of music. The keyboards withstand heavy use over years of fortissimo passages.
3. Tonality and Voicing
YAMHA UX delivers rich and warm tones due to the extra string length. It share many features from their flagship grand series piano. From hand-wound German Strings and concert quality hammer felt that brings out a range of color more reminiscent of a baby grand piano than a traditional upright. The bass is so powerful that it can totally out stand some of the baby grands. Yamaha UX also featuring longer bass string than some of its baby grand piano which delivers powerful, darker bass color.
The key control and touch were slightly lighter than some Kawai pianos. However, it plays comfortably on uniform keys with rich dynamic range from forte to Pianisimmo. The UX comes with a mahogany molded hammer which gives a well rounded tone.
4. Good Resale Value
YAMAHA UX is consider Rare in Malaysia market and its getting more difficult to import from Japan used Piano market. It possessed an abnormally high resale value, in this case we offer 70% T&C buy back within 10 years for this model if you get from us. Furthermore, the piano gets extra lifespan after we refurbished the piano as we will restore this high end piano from A-Z. Photos below show the condition of the piano after restoration done by us. After restoration, this piano can easily last you another 15-20 years with regular yearly maintenance (Tuning + Regulation)
Regulation done by our in house master technician
Replaced new Bridle Strap, string and also polish every single chrome part.
Piano body respray with 1 layer of undercoat to cover scratches, 2 layer of black coat to make it looks super black and 2 layer of clear coat to protects it from scratches and mirror effect. All our piano paints were sourced from Japan.
5. Conclusion
The Yamaha UX is a perfect size for the home, church, or studio space. Being one of the most popular piano manufacturers in the world we always carry a large stock of Yamaha U series pianos ranging in age and use. As with any piano, each is slightly different from one another. Although the action of the Yamaha piano is widely known for being exact across the board, the tone of each individual piano will cater to a different ear. We highly suggest that any buyer should visit our store to experience the uniqueness of each piano.
