Yamaha YDP-S51

Description

Availability: Discontinued, replaced by YDP-S52

Alternatives to the Yamaha YDP-S51:

Compare Roland F140R

Compare Broadway B1

“A compact piano with a good sound and realistic key touch… is it possible? — Well, it seems it is. Yamaha have produced a small, space-saving piano with a remarkable sound. And the key touch is fully-weighted, so i feels close to playing a real piano. The YDP-S51 is a joy to play. I recommend it for beginners up to grade 7”,
Graham Howard, piano adviser: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk

 

Yamaha YDP-S51 Reviews

1) “I am delighted with the piano”

Hi Graham

Many thanks for your advice. After some consideration and more research, I decided to go for a Yamaha. However due to very limited space I decided to go for YDP S51 in white.

A lovely lady rang me to arrange the day of delivery and explained that the stool that came with the piano was not white but a dark brown. This was fine with me. The piano arrived next morning and the delivery driver helped my husband carry it into our lounge. My husband assembled everything and we lifted the piano onto the stand. I am delighted with the piano, even my husband commented that it had a lovely sound. He even started playing around with some of its features, although he doesn’t play the piano. The service from UK Pianos was excellent.

Having taught myself the basics 40 years ago and not played since, I decided I should really have piano lessons. I have my first piano lesson this Friday, and although a bit apprehensive I’m looking forward to it.

Once again, many thanks for your advice and the excellent service.

Review by Irene Clark, Bexhill on Sea (31/10/2013)

2) “It is my better half’s pride and joy”

The piano is fantastic and it is my better half’s pride and joy.  She loves it!
We had a problem with the stool which was swapped out last week, so everything is great!

Many thanks!

Review by Angus Patrick, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (21/01/2015)

3) “REALLY DELIGHTED WITH THE QUALITY OF PIANO”

PIANO HAS ARRIVED SAFELY.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN GIVING US A SMOOTH PURCHASE.
REALLY DELIGHTED WITH THE QUALITY OF PIANO AND FRAME, AND
OF THE STOOL.  LOOKS GREAT!  THANKS AGAIN.

Review by Jan Wheeley, Sale, Cheshire (26/01/2015)

 

Questions and Comments (Email your questions to grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk)
>> Or call UK Pianos for advice on 020 8367 2080

“Buying piano for son, I have some questions”

Dear Graham,
Thank you very much for the digital piano guide and the scores, both very useful.
We are looking to purchase a digital piano for my son (9y) who has passed grade
1 (with distinction) in Dec 2012 and is now preparing for grade 2. Neither my husband nor I play the piano.
I have the following questions:

1. What do you think of the YDPS51 and

2. why has the YDP161 a better sound score?

3. What is the difference in the tone generating technology between the YDP161 and YDPS51?

4. How many levels of touch sensitivity do they each have and

5.until which ABRSM grade would either be suitable?

6. Finally any suggestions on height adjustable benches that match?

We are reluctant to spent more money at this stage.

Looking forward to your reply thank a million in advance.

Kind regards, Karin

Reply/ Hi Karin
There’s very little difference between the YDP161 and YDP-S51. They have the same key touch and identical sound source. The YDP161 does have a slightly fuller, more resonant sound though. This is due to its larger cabinet. The YDP-S51 is about 11cm less deep. So it will take up less floor space. They both have 4 dynamic levels. I recommend them both up to about grade

6. We sell a height adjustable bench for £97.
You can see it here: https://www.ukpianos.co.uk/minueta-adjustable-piano-stool.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard

Further questions/
Dear Graham,
A couple of questions:

1. If I want to improve on the YDPS51 (but still sticking to Yamaha) I need to look at the CLP430 right?
2. How many levels of touch sensitivity does the CLP430 have?
3. Would that really make a difference to a 9y old compared to the YDPS51?
4. Until which ABRSM grade would the CLP430 be suitable?
5. How long would the CLP430 last eg would it still work in 10 years time? What can go wrong? I am trying to decide if it would be better to spend more (very reluctant) now
and than it should last forever (?) or spend half as much now and buy something better (newer technology) in 5 years time (if my son is till interested!).

Thanks a million for all your help.
Kind regards,
Karin

Reply/ Hi Karin

Yes, the CLP430 is a much nicer piano. It has 5 dynamic levels. For a 9 year old, it wouldn’t make any difference. But the CLP430 would be an advantage later on because it will take him up to grade7.The CLP430’s life span assuming average use is 10-15 years. The first things to wear out are usually the keys. They become rattly.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard—

“YDP161, YDPS51, CLP430 or the new YDP162?

Hi Graham,

I’m planning to buy a digital piano (me and my sister are absolute beginners) and my choice is oriented in the way
of Yamaha.

Originally I was looking to a Roland f120 too, but some dealer told me that they didn’t sell Roland anymore for
many reasons, so now, I’m looking to a YDP161 or YDPS51 or a Clavinova CLP430 (but this is too expensive for
me). Now I’ve read that Yamaha is delivering a new version, the YDP162, so the choice is restricted to this or to the
Clavinova…

What about?
Any suggestion? (don’t say the Fazioli grancoda F308!

Thanks
Gianni

Reply/ Hi
Gianni

Oh, I love that Fazioli!!!… I could play it for hours.

Yes, there is a new model (YDP162) coming out.
I’m not sure when though.

The YDP-S51 is a fairly recent model, so if
you’re worried about the YDP161 becoming
an old model then why not go for the YDP-S51?

There’s very little difference between the
YDP161 and YDP-S51.  They have the same
key touch and identical sound source.

The YDP161 does have a slightly fuller, more
resonant sound though. This is due to its
larger cabinet.

The YDP-S51 is about 11cm less deep. So
it will take up less floor space.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

“Is there any difference in the key touch between YDP162 and YDPS51?”

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the reply.

Is there any difference in the key touch between the YDP162 and the YDPS51?

I’m still doing my research as I’m definitely thinking of picking up the instrument again.

Kind Regards,
Matthew

Reply/ Hi Matthew

The key touch of the YDP-S51 and YDP162 is
essentially the same. This is because the
same keyboard is used.

The only difference is how the keys feel
under the fingers…

The YDP162 has a synthetic ivory coating on
the tops of the white keys. This feels smoother
than the plastic key tops of the YDP-S51.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard