Any Yamaha C3X grand piano owners/players here?

[Mjazz]

Any comments/feedback appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[Keybass]

As a tuner/technician for the East Bay/Sacramento area I have several clients with this model. It is a huge departure from what I came to know as a Yamaha C-3 from the last thirty five years of my personal experience with that model. I would love to own a C3X someday.

 

P.S.

 

Voicing is critical with this instrument (as with all pianos)in order to elevate it to a whole new level of musical expression and control.

[Mjazz]

Keybass, thanks. Same reaction here ... totally different from the previous C3, which I never was keen on. I was pretty surprised at the C3X.

 

Is the C3X tricky to voice?

[Keybass]

It depends on the experience and expertise of the technician doing the voicing. First the regulation must be done or the piano must be in good regulation. Then a good fine-tuning must be performed.

 

An understanding of how a hammer compresses once it mates with the string and transfers its energy creating excursion of the string is critical. There is more to tone then just bright and soft. A good voicing allows for a roomy pianissimo and an authoritative fortissimo to exist in the same hammer.

 

 

[cphollis]

OK, going to wade in way over my head. Putting on the flame-resistant suit.

 

A few years back, I went on a journey of finding the ultimate acoustic grand piano. Technical specs matters, as did room aesthetics.

 

There is absolutely no dissing the C3X. A completely impressive instrument: design, execution, value, resale, etc. My take is that if it speaks to you, ain't no going wrong with one of these babies.

 

But it didn't speak to me. A bit too sterile and antiseptic. I wanted warmth, color, voice, etc. Hey, just me.

 

I found myself drawn to the great Europeans.

 

And ended up with a killer Bosie. Inch for inch, the Bosies are one of the most expensive pianos on the planet. Hey, whatever.

 

Spent a bunch more, no regrets.

[Dave Ferris]

I know quite a few very fine , top notch jazz pianists and accompanists of varying musical genres that own a C3.

 

I've played them in recording studios where the piano has been well taken care of. They've sounded great recorded and been fun to play on.

 

The CX3 is a more refined, rounder and darker sound. I've only played the 6' briefly but was impressed and could hear a dramatic difference (for the better) over the older C series.

 

Just going a tad OT- I love the handmade CF6 ! After a good NY Steinway B, I would choose the Yamaha if we're talking 7' pianos.

 

Back to the 6' piano- I can't imagine being disappointed with a CX3, especially if it's new or a year or so old.. Again like Alex said - you really need to find a highly skilled tuner/tech that is well versed in these instruments to bring out the best in them.

[Mjazz]

Thanks all for your input. Very helpful.