Yamaha U1 Piano: What It's Worth in 2026, Prices & Listings
- Size
- 48" (121 cm) upright
- Made
- In continuous production since the 1960s; the current model is still built in Japan
The Yamaha U1 is the most recommended used upright in the world, and for good reason: a 48-inch studio upright with a full-size action, built to a consistency few makers match, that holds up to decades of daily practice. Teachers ask for it by name because a well-kept U1 from the 1980s still plays close to a new one.
That reputation is also why U1 prices hold. There are more used U1s on the market than any other serious upright, so buyers can be choosy about age, condition and provenance — and sellers with a clean, tuned, Japanese-market-appropriate example get paid for it.
What a Yamaha U1 is worth in 2026
Median asking
$5,995
Lowest
$2,200
Highest
$14,180
Live asking prices from 27 priced Yamaha U1 listings on US Piano Connection right now, refreshed hourly. Dealer asking prices include prep work, warranty and delivery; a private sale realistically brings less than the dealer median for an ordinary example.
Age, origin (U.S.-market or grey-market import), cabinet finish and whether it has been kept in tune are what move a U1's price. A dealer's asking price includes prep and a warranty; a private sale usually lands well under the dealer median.
| Decade | Listings | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2 | $3,328 | $3,299–$3,356 |
| 1970s | 13 | $5,499 | $2,200–$6,995 |
| 1980s | 3 | $8,700 | $4,995–$14,180 |
| 2020s | 2 | $11,552 | $10,605–$12,500 |
Get a free instant appraisal for your U1 or compare Yamaha against every major brand.
What to know about the Yamaha U1
- Serial numbers date a U1 exactly. Yamaha's own lookup gives the year; the U1 changed little in design across decades, so age mostly signals wear, not features.
- "Grey-market" U1s — used pianos built for Japan's humid climate and imported to the U.S. — are common. Yamaha does not warranty them and technicians look for cracked soundboards or loose tuning pins in dry regions. Ask where a used U1 was originally sold.
- Later variants add silent (SH/SH3) or Disklavier player systems; these carry a premium only when the electronics work.
- Dealer-refurbished U1s ("EP", "refurbished") sit at the top of the range; private examples with an honest tuning history sit in the middle.
- Compare against the taller U3 if the room allows — the U3's longer strings give noticeably more bass.
Yamaha U1 pianos for sale now
★ FeaturedGreat Deal1971 Yamaha U1
Austin, TX
Upright · Good condition
$2,200
View details
DealerGood Deal1979 Yamaha U1
Newton, MA
Upright
Falcetti Pianos
Nationwide Delivery Available
$3,995
View details
DealerFair Deal1994 Yamaha U1
Fresno, CA
Upright · Used condition
Gottschalk Piano
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,388
View details
Dealer2023 Yamaha Upright U1 SH3
Pine Brook, NJ
Upright
Lindeblad Piano Restoration
Nationwide Delivery Available
$12,500
View details1969 Yamaha U1
Portland, OR
Upright
Portland Piano Company
Nationwide Delivery Available
$3,356
View details1977 Yamaha U1
Portland, OR
Upright
Portland Piano Company
Nationwide Delivery Available
$4,895
View details
DealerFair Deal1974 Yamaha U1
Alpharetta, GA
Upright
Steinway Piano Galleries
Nationwide Delivery Available
$5,499
View details
DealerFair Deal2011 Yamaha U1
Bellevue, WA
Upright
Classic Pianos Seattle
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,995
View details
DealerYamaha U1
Portland, OR
Upright
Portland Piano Company
Nationwide Delivery Available
$4,995
View detailsFrequently asked questions
How much is a used Yamaha U1 worth?
It depends on age and condition; the live figures above show what U1s are actually asking on this site right now. Dealer-prepared examples sit at the top of the range, private sales below the median.
How can I tell what year my Yamaha U1 is?
Read the serial number stamped on the plate (lift the top lid) and match it to Yamaha's serial number chart. Our serial number guide walks through it.
Is a grey-market Yamaha U1 a bad buy?
Not automatically, but it carries more risk in dry climates and no Yamaha warranty. Have a technician check the soundboard, bridges and tuning pins before you pay a U.S.-market price for one.
U1 or U3?
The U3 is four inches taller with longer bass strings and a larger soundboard; it sounds fuller and usually costs more. The U1 is the better fit for smaller rooms and most students.
Selling a Yamaha U1?
Run a free instant appraisal, read how to sell your piano, then list it free on US Piano Connection and reach buyers nationwide.