YamahaB3E PE

Yamaha B3E PE — an upright 121 cm tall, polished black.

The b series is Yamaha's entry line among the acoustic uprights, and the b3 is its largest model; PE stands for the polished black finish. At 121 cm it has the height from which an upright begins to sound grown-up: the bass strings are much longer than on the compact models, the soundboard is larger, the bass fuller. Yamaha uprights are known for an action that works evenly and precisely — which helps pupils who are still learning their touch.

A piano for the family with a child who keeps at it, for music students and for teaching rooms. Three pedals: the right holds the note, the left softens it, and the middle one lowers a strip of felt between hammers and strings for quiet practice.

Black high gloss shows fingerprints; a dry microfibre cloth, and no furniture polish.

It stands against the wall, 152 cm wide and 61 cm deep, about 0.9 m² with the stool. At 61 cm deep it goes through an ordinary door. Radiators and sun are best avoided: swings in humidity put it out of tune. It weighs 237 kg — above the ground floor it is carried by piano movers. If you practise in the evening and have neighbours behind the wall, a Silent System can be fitted and you play with headphones on the same keys.