The Yamaha C5 grand piano is part of the Yamaha Conservatory Collection, a series of grand pianos designed to meet the needs of the most demanding players. The C5 is 6’7″ in length, making it the perfect size for smaller performance spaces, music studios, or homes. Despite its compact size, the C5 produces a powerful, full-bodied tone that is perfect for both solo performances and accompanying singers and instrumentalists.
Yamaha Conservatory Collection
Other models include:
- Yamaha C7: A 7’6″ grand piano that is perfect for larger performance spaces, music schools, and conservatories.
- Yamaha C3: A 6’1″ grand piano that is designed for use in both home and performance settings.
- Yamaha C6: A 6’11” grand piano that is designed for use in larger performance spaces, music schools, and conservatories.
- Yamaha C1: A 5’3″ grand piano that is designed for use in smaller performance spaces, music studios, or homes.
About the C5
The C5 is a popular choice among musicians, music teachers, and recording studios and is known for its rich, warm sound and exceptional touch sensitivity, which make it ideal for a variety of musical styles, from classical to jazz. Though smaller, it still produces a powerful tone which is good for both solo performance and for accompanying singers and instrumentalists. Reviews often note its excellent bass tone.
The C5’s action is designed to respond to the lightest touch, making it easy for players to express a wide range of dynamics and tonal colors. This touch sensitivity is further enhanced by the piano’s use of high-quality hammers, which are made from a special blend of wool and felt that provides a consistent, even response across the entire keyboard.
This piano’s soundboard is made from high-quality spruce, known for its ability to produce clear, vibrant tones that are ideal for both classical and jazz performances. Additionally, the piano’s sound is further enhanced by its use of Yamaha’s advanced acoustic design, which ensures that the sound of the piano is evenly balanced and well-rounded.
The piano’s three pedals – sustain, sostenuto, and una corda – allow players to achieve a wide range of tonal effects, from delicate, subtle washes of sound to powerful, sustained chords.
All grand pianos in the Conservatory Collection are aimed at professional and advanced student musicians and performers, and are often found in music schools and conservatories. Given their high end build quality and feature set, they are not a cheap option.
Yamaha C and CX grand pianos
The Yamaha C and CX grand pianos are two different series of Yamaha’s grand pianos, designed to meet the needs of different types of musicians and performance spaces.
The C series of Yamaha grand pianos are top of the range instruments. The CX series of Yamaha grand pianos, including the Yamaha CX5, CX6, and CX7, are designed to be a step above Yamaha’s standard models, offering a higher level of sound quality and craftsmanship compared to the standard models. The CX series is ideal for professional musicians and serious students who demand the highest level of performance from their piano.
The C series generally has a more advanced acoustic design than the CX models, which results in a higher level of sound quality, and may also feature higher-quality materials such as solid spruce soundboards and European hammers. The CX series is designed to provide a more affordable option for professional musicians and serious students, while still delivering exceptional sound quality and touch sensitivity.
Yamaha C5 Price
Yamaha no longer manufactures the C series of grand pianos, so if you want to buy one it will have to be a used model. The Yamaha C5 was produced between 1979 and 1994. You can expect to pay around $20,000 for a pre-owned C5, but of course this varies depending on age, condition, and what the seller wants to charge. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of moving it to its new location.
Yamaha also created the C5L which is basically the same as the C5 with minor and negligible enhancements. These are also no longer manufactured but may come with a premium price.
Famous Yamaha C5 Owners
Many well-known pianists and singer-songwriters use Yamaha grand pianos in their composition, recording and performances, but someone who has specifically talked about the Yamaha C5 grand piano is British jazz pianist Jamie Cullum.
In a 2006 interview with Yamaha’s All Access magazine:
Jamie has a Yamaha C5 grand piano in his studio, and he tours with one as well. “I prefer a slightly smaller grand like the C5 because I play so hard, almost in a rock manner,” he explains. “Sometimes it’s difficult to be heard when the piano is so big, especially the bottom end. I love the touch of the Yamahas–not too light, not too soft, not too hard. They’re real road warriors, too. They stay in tune. And wherever I go in the world, whatever country I’m in, I always know what I’m getting because the Yamaha pianos are so consistent. With other manufacturers, the quality can run across the board–and they never stay in tune for the length of the gig!”
Yamaha All Access – Issue 12 Summer 2006
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Yamaha C and CX series of grand pianos depends on specific needs and budget, but both are high-end instruments which have been used by professional pianists for many years and have also been utilised on many music recordings due to their versatile sound.
