i tried a refurbished Yamaha U3X at an authorized dealer, serial number around 2,400,000, refurbishment number around 740,000, which I liked very much.
The piano looks brand new; the only thing I noticed was on the hammers of the highest notes the marks from the strings, otherwise the rim is very shiny and the strings look new. It is a factory-refurbished model with a 5-year warranty. The dealer would give it to me for 3,900.00 euros including transport, bench, and tuning.
in the same shop I tried a new Kawai K2, of which I do not know the serial number. I noticed that the keyboard was stiffer than the Yamaha and the sound more full-bodied compared to the Yamaha, whose sound seemed much more open to me (height effect).
For this piano, they want 4,500.00 euros.
What do you recommend? Is new always preferable to refurbished? Does anyone here have experience with refurbished pianos? Do you know how the U3X differs from the "standard" U3?
Hi Giusy. I don't have a high opinion of the Kawai upright pianos that I have tried. The most terrible of all (in my Kawai experiences) was the CX-21D.
The UX3 that I tried (refurbished) is an excellent instrument. Below is a quick demo recorded with my teacher, but with a poor microphone.
Especially when you open it all the way (top and bottom), the sound is second to none compared to certain Yamaha C1s and C2s that I have tried.
Primarily, the UX3 is taller, so it has a better sound. The weak point of those pianos (I don't remember which serial number range) is related to the escapement cords, which rot after years (they were made of cotton) and leave you without escapement. On more modern ones, they have used synthetic material and the problem has been resolved.
In short, I would say that for both mechanics and sound, I would choose the Yamaha.
The U3X piano is an excellent piano, better than the Kawai, in my opinion. If it has grooved hammers, you should ask the dealer, before delivery and for free (included in the price), to have the hammers rectified and perhaps voiced... it is an operation that can be done in a couple of hours... and a serious dealer does it before delivering it. The difference between a normal U3 and a U3X is that the latter has the (back) plates in an X-shape instead of being vertical... and this characteristic adds more value to the piano because it has more robustness, holds its tuning longer... and when it is moved, it is more rigid and avoids micro-movements inside. Its sound is almost like a grand piano (better than baby grands from non-prestigious brands) and is much better than many upright pianos, even more expensive ones.
