Yamaha P121 is one of our best-selling upright pianos. Inheriting the design and material quality from the same height “industry-standard” Yamaha U1, yet with a classic-styled cabinet more suited to the European market, the Yamaha P121 is a sensibly-priced quality practise instrument ideal for the home and school alike.
Initially built in England alongside the U1n (in wood finish only), at what was the Yamaha-Kemble factory in Bletchley, the P121 was a surprise to us when launched in 2002. Already familiar and very happy indeed with the wood-veneered English U1-n, we could not believe the similarity in the newly-launched P121. The only differences we found were the cabinet style, omition of soft-close fallboard and lock. The keyboard, action, frame, bridge, soundboard, backposts and hammers were identical and as such, so was the performance.
Production of English-built Yamaha pianos along with Kemble-branded models moved to Yamaha’s already excelling Jakarta piano factory in Indonesia. Whilst this was sad and marked the end of English piano production, the new examples from Yamaha Jakarta were very well received and represented the same quality of build and finish – avoiding a hike in price as would otherwise have been required.
Is the P121 inferior to the Japan-built U1?
We do need to spend a little more time in preparation, optimising the tone and touch vs New U1, but the results are excellent. The hammers are slightly different, but are the same as originally used with the English-built P121 and U1n models. Very similar overall performance to between P121 and U1 when equally prep’d. We guarantee to prepare your new P121 to its very best.
Is the P121 superior to the Jakarta-built B3E – which is the same size and of course from the same plant?
Yes: whilst the BE3 uses the same hammers, action, keyboard, frame and back-design as the P121 – the P121 features a maple bridge (as per the U1) vs the B3E’s beech bridge. Whilst both models have solid quarter-sawn soundboards, the P121 uses exclusively Bavarian spruce and the annual-rings are much tighter. The P121 is clear, has great sustain, vibrant bass and is very expressive. Frankly, all the benefits of owning a brand new piano close in price to a used recent U1, and without compromise.
Our “No Drop Shipping” Promise
When buying from Venables Pianos, we provide our all important “No Drop Shipping” Promise. We will “know your piano” before you receive it.
- Your piano will arrive with us from Yamaha – if not already in store – and we will carefully test and check each component
- full inspection of cabinet
- regulate (adjust the keyboard, action and pedal mechanism for optimum touch),
- voice (adjust the hammers for an even and responsive tone) – even on a bespoke level (warm, neutral, clear)
- and of course tune this piano before delivery.
This work is in addition to the standard manufacturer’s factory and pre-dealer despatch “preparation”. The difference is remarkable and assures you of quality control and instrument preparation we are proud to put our name to.
It is unfortunate that due to the low profit of the lower priced pianos and trading models of music stores that the assumed trust in the Yamaha brand means high volume low margin sales with corners cut. Once the piano is in your home, a freelance piano technician would likely charge over £320 to provide the technical attention we deliver in all our pianos here. To instruct Yamaha Music Europe GMBH (UK)’ appointed piano carriers to deliver directly to you saves the cost of delivery to you from the store, omits any quality control and piano prep operations by the store, and ultimately a false economy. New acoustic pianos are not ‘boxed appliances’ and regardless of brand reputation for quality and uniformity, it is simply impossible to deliver the same standard of piano to your home whilst bypassing traditional piano store service.
