Yamaha U1 Upright vs a Baby Grand Piano for recording?

Jamz · 15th August 2007, 01:53 PM

After doing a search on GS it appears some folks would opt for a Yamaha U1 upright over a smaller Baby Grand if a larger Grand was not in the budget.
I'd appreciate any pros/cons, likes/dislikes from anyone who has recorded a smaller Baby Grand i.e Yamaha GC1 5'3"?

lowfreq33 · 15th August 2007, 04:45 PM

It's kind of like a strat/les paul debate. They're 2 totally different sounds. If you tend to want a more raucous, midrangy sound go for the upright. For a brighter sound with more of the hammers (and more versatility) get the baby grand. Of course if your room doesn't sound good you'll have problems with both.

dementedchord · 15th August 2007, 08:07 PM

the physics of the action is obviously different that accounts to a large degree for the diff in sound...and the verticle is noisier too... also the baby grand having shorter bass strings will be thinner on the bass...

mbrebes · 15th August 2007, 10:28 PM

I have a Yamaha C2 baby grand (5'6") and a U1. These are the main differences:
1. As stated, the action of a baby grand is quite a bit different. But if you need to use an upright, the Yamaha U1 is going to have about the best action available and is much closer to the feel of a grand than any other upright.

2. Tone is going to be different because of the size and structure of the harp, soundboard, and the overall enclosure. I checked out a lot of uprights when I got my U1 and it is closest to a nice baby grand for both keyboard feel and tone quality.

If you can afford a baby grand, I would recommend 5'6" as the smallest, preferably a Yamaha or maybe a Kawai as second choice. If you can't afford one, I think the U1 sounds better than a cheap baby grand. I got mine used for about $1500 plus $100 to move it.

Jamz · 16th August 2007, 02:19 AM

Very nice! You have both.
I would prefer a nice used Yamaha Baby Grand. My understanding is that if the Baby Grand is too small I'm better off with the U1. I thought 5'3" Baby Grand might work. I like the sound of the GC1. However, more experienced piano owners are advising minimum of 6' or (more comfortably) 5'6". I'll be picking up The Piano Book as part of my research.
Someone also suggested a Howard piano. I believe they're made by Baldwin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbrebes

I have a Yamaha C2 baby grand (5'6") and a U1. These are the main differences:
1. As stated, the action of a baby grand is quite a bit different. But if you need to use an upright, the Yamaha U1 is going to have about the best action available and is much closer to the feel of a grand than any other upright.

2. Tone is going to be different because of the size and structure of the harp, soundboard, and the overall enclosure. I checked out a lot of uprights when I got my U1 and it is closest to a nice baby grand for both keyboard feel and tone quality.

If you can afford a baby grand, I would recommend 5'6" as the smallest, preferably a Yamaha or maybe a Kawai as second choice. If you can't afford one, I think the U1 sounds better than a cheap baby grand. I got mine used for about $1500 plus $100 to move it.

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15th August 2007, 01:53 PM	#1
Jamz Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bucks County/Philly, PA Posts: 2,152	Yamaha U1 Upright vs a Baby Grand Piano for recording? After doing a search on GS it appears some folks would opt for a Yamaha U1 upright over a smaller Baby Grand if a larger Grand was not in the budget. I'd appreciate any pros/cons, likes/dislikes from anyone who has recorded a smaller Baby Grand i.e Yamaha GC1 5'3"? __________________ Jim Salamone http://myspace.com/cambridgesoundstudios http://cambridgesoundstudios.com http://myspace.com/onajerecording

15th August 2007, 08:07 PM	#3
dementedchord Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 799	the physics of the action is obviously different that accounts to a large degree for the diff in sound...and the verticle is noisier too... also the baby grand having shorter bass strings will be thinner on the bass... __________________ this is dyslexic of borg... your ass will be laminated...

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15th August 2007, 04:45 PM	#2
lowfreq33 Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,895	It's kind of like a strat/les paul debate. They're 2 totally different sounds. If you tend to want a more raucous, midrangy sound go for the upright. For a brighter sound with more of the hammers (and more versatility) get the baby grand. Of course if your room doesn't sound good you'll have problems with both.

15th August 2007, 10:28 PM	#4
mbrebes Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 348	I have a Yamaha C2 baby grand (5'6") and a U1. These are the main differences: 1. As stated, the action of a baby grand is quite a bit different. But if you need to use an upright, the Yamaha U1 is going to have about the best action available and is much closer to the feel of a grand than any other upright. 2. Tone is going to be different because of the size and structure of the harp, soundboard, and the overall enclosure. I checked out a lot of uprights when I got my U1 and it is closest to a nice baby grand for both keyboard feel and tone quality. If you can afford a baby grand, I would recommend 5'6" as the smallest, preferably a Yamaha or maybe a Kawai as second choice. If you can't afford one, I think the U1 sounds better than a cheap baby grand. I got mine used for about $1500 plus $100 to move it.