Why We Prefer Older Yamaha Pianos
We prefer older Yamaha pianos because the instruments built in the 1970s and 1980s were made to an exceptionally high standard, have proven their durability over decades, and offer outstanding value today. A well-maintained older Yamaha, properly checked over, can be every bit as satisfying to play as a new one, and usually costs considerably less.
Yamaha is one of the makes we know best and stock most deeply, so this is a considered view rather than a casual one. Here is the thinking behind it.
Yamaha's golden era of upright pianos
The Yamaha pianos produced in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s have earned a strong reputation among players, teachers and technicians. These instruments were built with excellent materials and careful workmanship, and the famous U series uprights in particular became a benchmark for what a dependable, full-toned piano should be. Decades on, these pianos are still playing well, which tells you most of what you need to know about how they were made.
They have proven themselves
There is a real advantage to a piano that is forty or so years old and still going strong: it has proven itself. A new piano is a promise. An older Yamaha in good order is a track record. It has already shown that it was built well and that it lasts. For a buyer, that proven durability is genuinely reassuring.
The value is exceptional
Because these pianos were made in large numbers and have lasted so well, a good used Yamaha offers superb value. You are buying a genuinely high-quality instrument for considerably less than a comparable new piano would cost. That combination of proven quality and sensible price is exactly why these instruments are so sought after, and why we keep so many of them in stock.
A settled, mature tone
Many players feel that a piano's tone matures and settles as the instrument ages and is played. A good older Yamaha often has a warm, even, well-rounded sound that players find very appealing. It is a matter of taste, and the best way to judge it is with your own ears, but it is part of why these pianos have such a loyal following.
The one condition: it must be checked
There is an important qualification to all of this. The used Yamaha market is a minefield, and we say that openly. There are excellent older Yamahas and there are poor ones, and the difference is often difficult for a non-expert to see. A good older Yamaha is one that has been looked after and then properly assessed and prepared by a technician. That is precisely the part we take care of: every Yamaha we sell has been inspected and made ready before it goes on sale. For more on this question generally, see is a second-hand piano reliable.
The wider picture
Considering used Yamahas more broadly? Our pages on should I buy a used piano and used vs new piano cover the wider decision honestly.
See our Yamaha pianos
We carry one of the largest selections of used Yamaha pianos in the country, from compact uprights suitable for beginners through to professional-grade instruments and grands. Whatever your level, it is well worth coming to play a few and hearing for yourself why these pianos have such a strong reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Are older Yamaha pianos good?
Yes. Yamaha pianos from the 1970s and 1980s are widely regarded as superbly built and are highly sought after today. A well-maintained example offers excellent value.
Are old Yamaha pianos better than new ones?
Often better value rather than better in every way. A good older Yamaha was built to a high standard, has settled with age, and usually costs less than a comparable new piano.
How old is too old for a Yamaha piano?
Age alone is not the issue. A 1970s or 1980s Yamaha that has been looked after and properly checked can be an excellent instrument with many years of life left.
Explore more
For broader help on choosing the right piano, see our full piano buying advice library.
Play our older Yamaha pianos
The Piano Gallery is an independent, family-run piano specialist established in 1980, with one of the largest selections of used Yamaha pianos in the country. Every Yamaha we sell is inspected by our technicians before sale. Come and play them in our showroom.
The Piano Gallery
13-17 London Street, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AE
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Any other time by appointment.
Telephone: 01367 244554 | Email: sales@thepianogallery.co.uk