Yamaha M5J

Colour: Satin walnut

The Yamaha M5J is a console upright of 106cm, one of the smaller pianos Yamaha made, produced from the early 1980s through to the late 1990s. It was designed as a domestic instrument rather than a studio piano, with a plain satin cabinet and a compact case that fits where a full-size upright will not.

What you get for the size is Yamaha's consistency: an even action, a clear and unfussy tone, and the kind of reliability that keeps these pianos in schools and teaching studios decades after they were built. Priced at £2,495, this example is finished in satin walnut with three pedals and a full 88-note keyboard, and has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery.

Available to purchase online or to try in person at our Oxfordshire showroom. Contact us to arrange a viewing or to discuss delivery and part-exchange options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a console piano, and how does it differ from a studio upright?

Console is the term for a short upright, usually between about 100cm and 110cm, where the action sits directly on top of the keys. A studio upright is taller, around 115cm to 125cm, with a drop action and longer strings. The console is quieter and easier to place; the studio piano has more bass and more volume. This is a console, and its 106cm height is the reason it suits a normal room so well.

Is the M5J big enough for a student working through grades?

Through the early and middle grades, comfortably. It has the full 88 notes and a proper Yamaha action, so technique developed on it transfers directly to a larger instrument. A student heading towards the upper grades will eventually want more bass and more dynamic range than a 106cm piano can give, and that is the point at which to think about trading up.

Where and when was the Yamaha M5J made?

The M5J was produced from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. Yamaha has built pianos in more than one country over that period, so rather than guess we will read the serial number on this instrument and tell you its year and place of manufacture. It takes a moment and it is worth doing properly.

How does an M5J compare with a new Yamaha b1?

They are a similar size and serve a similar purpose, and the b1 has the advantage of being new with a warranty. The M5J was built to an older and more generous specification, and many technicians rate the cabinet work and action materials more highly. We stock both new and used Yamahas and are glad to let you compare them side by side.

Is a satin wood finish harder to look after than polished black?

Easier, in practice. Satin does not show fingerprints and dust the way a high-gloss black cabinet does, and small marks can often be improved rather than needing a full refinish. A dry soft cloth is all it normally wants. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which will fade any wood finish over time.