Yamaha G Series vs C Series Grands: G1, G2, G3 and the C-Series That Replaced Them
The G-series was Yamaha's mainstream grand for decades before the C-series took over. Used buyers see both at similar sizes and very different prices. Here is why.
By Joey Bouza, Founder, US Piano Connection · Updated October 19, 2026
Search for a used Yamaha grand and you will find two families of model numbers at the same lengths: the G-series, such as G1, G2 and G3, and the C-series, such as C1, C2 and C3. Yamaha built the G-series as its standard home and studio grand through the 1970s and 1980s and phased it out as the C-series became the mainstream line. The two overlap in size, differ in design detail and era, and sit apart in price on the used market. This guide explains what you are looking at.
The models side by side
| G-series model | Length | C-series equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | About 5 feet 3 inches | C1 | The compact grand; the C1 continues at the same length |
| G2 | About 5 feet 8 inches | C2 | The mid-size home grand |
| G3 | About 6 feet 1 inch | C3 | The teaching-studio favorite; the C3 is among the most common grands in schools |
| G5 | About 6 feet 7 inches | C5 | Larger studio and small-hall grand |
What changed from G to C
- Era. G-series pianos are now thirty-five to fifty years old. C-series examples span the late 1980s to the present, and the C-series itself has gone through generations (the CX series is the current one).
- Design. The C-series carried refinements in scale, rim construction and action over the G-series it replaced. Players describe the C-series as the more refined instrument; many describe the G-series as the more robust-sounding one.
- Market. Because the G-series is older and out of production, it asks less. Because the C-series is current, it asks more and is easier to resell.
- Grey-market imports. Many used G and C grands in the US were built for Japan and imported used. Yamaha's serial lookup tells you which; they sell for less and are not covered by Yamaha's US support.
What they are asking right now
The live median asking price by brand on this site is below. The G2, G3, C1, C2, C3 and C7 model guides list every example of each currently for sale here, with year and price, so you can see today's gap between a G3 and a C3 directly.
| Brand | Median asking | Lowest | Highest | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | $8,470 | $400 | $85,995 | 510 |
| Steinway & Sons | $54,500 | $1,500 | $230,000 | 305 |
| Kawai | $8,990 | $648 | $185,000 | 218 |
| Baldwin | $8,970 | $10 | $54,385 | 142 |
| Steinway | $65,000 | $1,699 | $250,000 | 117 |
| Roland | $3,100 | $400 | $18,650 | 69 |
| Schimmel | $29,238 | $6,500 | $172,363 | 57 |
| Young Chang | $5,245 | $1,500 | $19,996 | 52 |
| Samick | $4,212 | $999 | $15,380 | 50 |
| Boston | $14,450 | $4,795 | $49,200 | 38 |
| Casio | $2,799 | $650 | $7,500 | 36 |
| Mason & Hamlin | $22,990 | $1,495 | $65,000 | 36 |
| Wurlitzer | $2,995 | $100 | $8,880 | 33 |
| Pearl River | $6,795 | $1,500 | $21,437 | 31 |
| Kohler & Campbell | $5,194 | $1,499 | $9,995 | 30 |
A well-kept G3 is one of the best values in used grands: Yamaha build quality, six feet of string, and a price set by age rather than by reputation. The risk is that it is a forty-year-old piano, so the inspection carries the deal.
Which to buy
- If budget leads and a technician approves the condition, a G2 or G3 gives the most grand for the money.
- If resale, parts support and a newer action matter, choose the C-series equivalent and expect to pay for it.
- If the piano will be a teaching instrument played hours a day, favor the C3 for its refinement and the depth of the used supply.
- Either way, confirm the market the piano was built for and the serial-number year before agreeing a price.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a Yamaha G3 and C3?
- Both are about six feet one inch. The G3 is the older design from the 1970s and 1980s; the C3 replaced it with refinements in scale, rim and action and is still built today. The C3 asks more used.
- Is the Yamaha G-series good?
- Yes. G-series grands were Yamaha's mainstream grand for years and share the company's build consistency. They are older now, so condition is everything.
- When did Yamaha stop making the G-series?
- The G-series was phased out as the C-series became the mainstream line from the late 1980s into the 1990s. Exact years vary by model and market.
- How much is a Yamaha G3 worth?
- Less than a C3 of similar condition because of its age. See the G3 model guide for every G3 for sale on this site with its price.
- What is a grey-market Yamaha grand?
- A piano built for the Japanese market and imported used. Fine instruments, but not covered by Yamaha's US support and seasoned for a different climate, so they sell for less.
- Is the GC1 a G-series piano?
- No. The GC1, GB1 and GH1 are Yamaha's entry-level grands, separate designs below the G and C lines.
- What is the Yamaha CX series?
- The current generation of the C-series, introduced in the 2010s, with further design updates.
- How do I date a Yamaha grand?
- From the serial number on the plate, through Yamaha's own lookup. It also tells you the market the piano was built for.
About the author
Joey Bouza — Founder, US Piano Connection
Working musician and founder of Prospects International, the marketing firm behind appointment-based piano sale events across the country.
Prices and counts in our guides come from live listings on this site and are recalculated hourly. Where we quote industry-typical figures (mover quotes, tuning fees, rebuild costs) we say so, and we never publish a number we haven't measured or sourced.