[pianotech] Whassup with Yamaha U1's

[Mark Schecter]

Interesting. I don't claim any particular knowledge about this, but I do have two U1Js in my clientele. Both pianos have 7-digit serials, and I have no reason to think they are different in any way from any other (Japanese?) U1 I've worked on.  Both were bought used. One needed hammer spring loops due to age rot, the other was nearly pristine. 

Here's Yamaha's page that might answer your question, or not:http://usa.yamaha.com/support/finding_age_of_yamaha_piano/

Going by the info on the link above, checking the serials of my two definitely used pianos, one was made in Jakarta in 2009, the other (with the rotten loops) will be made on Jakarta in (at the present rate) about 2015. 

Like I said, I don't know. But now I'm puzzled, too. I always thought _all_ U1s, U3s, U5s, U7s, and WXs were made in Japan. There appear to be overlapping serials. 

~Mark Schecter

On Feb 24, 2013, at 6:01 AM, "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net> wrote:

> The plot thickens.  More of what I was looking for, thank you.  Can you characterize the difference between the U1 and the U1J in terms of the overall structural differences, components, etc? 
>  
> David Love
> www.davidlovepianos.com
>  
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of lim hock seng
> Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2013 8:24 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Whassup with Yamaha U1's
>  
> Yes, the Indonesian U1 is known as U1J,
> There are 8 digits to the serial number and price is lower by 2 to 3k compared with the ones made in Japan. They used to make U1 in Taiwan too but the plant has closed a few years ago.
> 
> Lim
> 
> On Feb 24, 2013 8:16 AM, "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net> wrote:
> That's what I was referring to.  Is there an Indonesian built U1 as well?
> 
> David Love
> www.davidlovepianos.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
> Of Roger at Integra.net
> Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2013 3:52 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Whassup with Yamaha U1's
> 
> David,
> Not sure what you're referring to, but they're still made in Japan.
> Roger
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Love
> Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 7:17 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: [pianotech] Whassup with Yamaha U1's
> 
> What's the manufacturing situation with U1's now (or all U series for that
> matter).  I can't get a straight answer.  Any Yamaha dealers out there?  Are
> new ones all the same manufacture?  Are some of them Chinese manufacturing?
> Fill me in please.
> 
> David Love
> www.davidlovepianos.com
> 
> 
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