The Yamaha-Kemble relationship

Yamaha pianos have been distributed to authorised dealers by Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) Ltd. since approximately 1984 (as of Summer 2007: "Yamaha Music UK Ltd.")

Kemble is a British piano maker. Since approx. 1990, Kemble stopped using frames (iron plates), actions, hammers, dampers and other core parts, that were made for them by such component manufacturers, and began using Yamaha parts, which were higher quality and so the Kemble piano became a far superior instrument. The Yamaha-Kemble factory manufactures the intermediate range of upright pianos, exclusively for the UK and European market featuring more European cabinet designs, wood veneers and European Spruce soundboards. Yamaha have continuously invested in the UK factory, which is now rich in high-tech precision equipment, ensuring a consistent quality and performance throughout. There is now far less variation in performance between identical models. Kemble pianos are still made under the Kemble brand, although since the component, design and build quality is almost identical to the equivalent Yamaha piano made in the same factory, there is little to distinguish between them other than the cabinet design and price. The Yamaha equivalent is usually available at a lower price, and is never inferior in performance or quality.

When Yamaha or Kemble introduce a new model that is made in the UK factory, it will feature a Yamaha frame, action, keyboard, hammers and dampers, for that approximate size of instrument. Therefore the performance of the piano is almost identical to other models of very similar size, unless the components are exclusive to the new model, which we believe is yet to happen. For example: The U1n in a wood finish is made in the Kemble factory. The P121nt is identical inside, and the new PX124nt (124cm) is the same inside again. The variation in dimensions between models of similar height is due to the different cabinet design, which is only an aesthetic difference. We believe that this is because Yamaha might not go to the expense of developing a new production line for either inferior or superior core component(s) for a new model that is virtually the same size. Price variation between P121nt and U1n £~800. It's worth knowing!

The model numbers of all UK-built Yamaha pianos are suffixed with an 'n'.

The UK factory makes the U1n in wood finishes, whereas the U1 in polished ebony finish (black) is made in Japan. In this instance, the origin of materials and country of assembly are the only difference. We find no variation in the quality of materials nor quality of assembly. The soundboard is made from European Spruce, not Japanese or Alaskan Spruce - so there may be the occasional tone variation compared with the Japanese U1.

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NOTE:
This is a guide only and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Errors and omissions excepted.