Yamaha U1 vs U3 Comparison Chart

The Yamaha U1 and U3 are the two models of Yamaha’s U series, the uprights many teachers and schools have used for decades. They share the same design, materials and action; the difference is size. Here is what the U3’s extra 4 inches of height changes.

The Differences in Brief

• Height: the U1 is 47-3/4″ tall, the U3 51-1/2″.
• Soundboard: 2,137 square inches on the U1, 2,369 on the U3, about 11% more.
• Bass strings: the lowest string speaks over 46.8″ on the U1 and 47.5″ on the U3, which gives the U3 a fuller, longer-sounding bass.
• Weight: 503 lb for the U1, 542 lb for the U3.
• The same: the V-Pro plate, spruce soundboard and back posts, hard maple bridge and pinblock, soft-close fallboard and three pedals.

Yamaha U1 vs U3 Specifications

Specifications from Yamaha (size and weight from Yamaha’s current U series page; construction from Yamaha’s U series specifications).

Which Is Right for You?

Choose the U1 if the piano has to fit a lower wall, a window sill or a smaller room: it gives you the full U series touch in a 48″ cabinet. Choose the U3 if you have the space and want the bigger sound; in a living room it is the closest an upright of this size gets to a small grand.

Both come as a Silent Piano (SH3) and a TransAcoustic (TA3); the U1 is also made as a Disklavier ENSPIRE player piano. For the YUS models, see the YUS1 vs YUS3 vs YUS5 chart; for all five Japanese uprights at a glance, the Japanese upright comparison chart.

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More Comparison Charts

• Yamaha YUS1 vs YUS3 vs YUS5 Comparison ChartYamaha's premium YUS uprights side by side: size, hammers and strings, keyboard, pedals and the hybrid versions.
• Yamaha Japanese Upright Comparison Chart: U1, U3, YUS1, YUS3 and YUS5All five Japanese-made Yamaha uprights at a glance: size, weight, series, pedals and hybrid versions.
• Yamaha Baby Grand Piano Comparison Chart: GB1K, GCB, GC1, GC2 and C1XYamaha's baby grands from 5' to 5'8" side by side: size, weight, keyboard, pedals, frame and hybrid versions.
• Yamaha CX Series Comparison Chart: C1X to C7XThe six CX series grands side by side, from the 5'3" C1X to the 7'6" C7X: size, weight, construction and hybrid versions.
• Yamaha SX Series Comparison Chart: S3X, S5X, S6X and S7XYamaha's premium SX grands side by side, from the 6'1" S3X to the 7'6" S7X, and how the SX compares with the CX series.
• Yamaha Silent Piano vs TransAcoustic Comparison Chart: SC3, SH3, TA3 and TC3Yamaha's four hybrid systems side by side: how each silences the piano, its sounds, speakers, recording and which pianos it comes on.

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