Many musicians are aware of the excellent upright pianos made by Yamaha. Their robust, institutional models begin with P22 and continue with the most commonly recommended piano on the market, model U1. Keep going up in Yamaha’s lineup and you’ll experience the 52″ model U3, the very best of their mass produced lineup in Japan.

However, we love to seek out some of the rare, premium models from Japanese makers like this one. For decades, Yamaha has always pushed the limits of their craftsmen with limited, premium models that have more in comparison with their European boutique competitors than with the efficient and consumer-friendly main lines.

This UX500 is one of those rare models. Made in 1997 in Japan, this 52″ professional upright features so many internal and external upgrades over the already highly regarded model U3. Freshly refurbished and serviced, this piano still has a lifetime of music ahead of it. This is one of the best uprights you are ever likely to play.

If New, MSRP for similar model Yamaha is $23,499 and requires a special order.

Includes height adjustable bench.

What makes this Yamaha UX500 so special? We can start with the visual:

Full-sized music desk with mahogany accents & brass pulls
Improved styling (grand-style fallboard, beveled lid, many small details)
Radial bracing (X-back or “Star back” construction) similar to grands

Upgraded specifications include:

Premium Yamaha hammers (not found in U3)
Superior string terminations (agraffes in bass and tenor, heavy cutoff in treble)
Hand wound bass strings
Select grade of solid spruce soundboard
Thicker construction throughout
Hand-operated practice rail
Sostenuto pedal (usually only on grands)
Vented top panel (allows more sound feedback to pianist)

By specifications, this piano exceeds those found in the current Yamaha YUS5. When new, the UX500 was priced 58% more than a standard U3.