Yamaha U3 Piano: What It's Worth in 2026, Prices & Listings
- Size
- 52" (131 cm) upright
- Made
- Made alongside the U1 since the 1960s; Japan-built throughout
The Yamaha U3 is the U1's taller sibling: a 52-inch professional upright with longer bass strings and a bigger soundboard, which is why it is the upright teachers and serious amateurs choose when the room allows. Many people describe a good U3 as the closest an upright gets to a small grand.
U3s are slightly rarer than U1s on the used market and command a premium for the extra size. The same rules apply — age, origin and tuning history decide the price.
What a Yamaha U3 is worth in 2026
Median asking
$6,990
Lowest
$3,000
Highest
$14,490
Live asking prices from 35 priced Yamaha U3 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.
Expect a U3 to ask more than a U1 of the same age and condition. Refurbished dealer examples with a warranty set the ceiling; the live snapshot above shows the current spread.
| Decade | Listings | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2 | $3,750 | $3,000–$4,500 |
| 1970s | 14 | $8,995 | $4,290–$8,995 |
| 1980s | 7 | $5,890 | $4,995–$9,800 |
| 2020s | 3 | $12,380 | $6,490–$12,495 |
Get a free instant appraisal for your U3 or compare Yamaha against every major brand.
What to know about the Yamaha U3
- The U3's 52-inch height is the point: bass strings are long enough to give real depth, and the action is the same full-size design as the U1.
- Grey-market imports exist for the U3 just as they do for the U1; confirm the original market before paying U.S.-model money.
- Silent (SH/SH2) and Disklavier variants exist; player systems from the 1990s are often worn out and add little value.
- Because it is heavier than a console, budget for professional movers and confirm the access route before buying.
Yamaha U3 pianos for sale now
Dealer2004 Yamaha U3 52'' Studio Upright Piano Polished Mahogany 2004
New London, CT
Upright · Good condition
Caruso Piano Gallery
Nationwide Delivery Available
$7,990
View details
DealerFair Deal1980 Yamaha U3
Mesa, AZ
Upright
Stilwell Pianos
Nationwide Delivery Available
$5,390
View details
DealerFair Deal1973 Yamaha U3
San Antonio, TX
Upright · Good condition
Alamo Music Center
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,599
View details
DealerFair Deal1974 Yamaha U3
San Antonio, TX
Upright · Good condition
Alamo Music Center
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,599
View details
DealerGreat Deal1965 Yamaha U3, Italian Designer, One-of-a-kind
Shanghai, CA
Upright · Good condition
Shanghai Wenyu Musical Instruments Co., Ltd.
Nationwide Delivery Available
$3,000
View details
Good Deal1966 Yamaha U3
Poulsbo, WA
Upright · Good condition
$4,500
View details
DealerFair Deal1983 Yamaha U3 Studio Upright Piano 52''
New London, CT
Upright · Good condition
Caruso Piano Gallery
Nationwide Delivery Available
$5,890
View details
DealerYamaha 'Super U3' (W102) 52'' Upright Piano Satin Mahogany
New London, CT
Upright · Good condition
Caruso Piano Gallery
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,990
View details
DealerFair Deal2025 Yamaha U3 52'' Studio Upright Piano Satin Ebony
New London, CT
Upright · Good condition
Caruso Piano Gallery
Nationwide Delivery Available
$6,490
View detailsFrequently asked questions
What is a Yamaha U3 worth used?
See the live asking prices above; U3s typically ask more than U1s of the same era because of the extra size and bass response.
Is the U3 worth the premium over a U1?
If you have the room and play repertoire that needs bass depth, yes. For a small apartment or a beginning student, the U1 is usually the better value.
How old is too old for a U3?
A U3 from the 1970s that has been tuned regularly and kept in a stable climate can still be an excellent piano. Have a technician assess hammers, strings and the soundboard rather than judging by age alone.
Selling a Yamaha U3?
Run a free instant appraisal, read how to sell your piano, then list it free on US Piano Connection and reach buyers nationwide.