Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha new CLP-745 vs Secondhand NU1

This is my first post and I hope I can get some help for choosing a piano for my daughter.

I am planning to get a CLP-745 and we have been to Yamaha and tried to play a few times. It feels right and sounds alright. Though not comparible with an acoustic one. We live in an apartment and so digital is only option (slient is out of budget unfortunately).

I also found a second hand NU1 which the price is right below the new clp-745. The current owner bought it in 2017 and he is selling it because they dont play much anymore. I would want to get a NU-1X if I could afford. But is the older version NU1 a good choice?

Should I go for a new CLP-745 or second hand NU1?

Please advise.

When buying a used piano always keep in mind that:

1. You must thoroughly test the piano. Every key, pedal, and function.
Don't be lured by a shiny finish. What matters most is what's inside, out of sight.

2. You get no warranty. There wouldn't be much warranty left anyway on a four-year-old Yamaha.
But you will get none. Warranties are not transferrable.

The NU1 has the CFX sample-set, so that’s a good thing; however, there is the so-called ‘loud note’ issue (sudden loud notes that do not match the player’s input).

So, you’ll be happily playing along some Chopin and all of a sudden, out pops a loud note; yet, at times, you could be playing for hours and not experience the unwanted loud note(s).

Supposedly this has something to do with the mechanics of an upright action; where, under certain circumstances, you will get a ghost note (no sound), but with the NU1 instead of a silent stroke you get a loud note.

This issue was fixed/improved for the NU1X (firmware), but I’m not so sure about the NU1.

Still, assuming there is no fix for the NU1 and you can live with the ‘occasional’ loud note, the NU1 would still be the better choice. IMHO!

Might be prudent to consider the noise of the NU1's keyboard when not even switched on. It will be comparable with that of an acoustic.
These are quite loud.

So you tried a new CLP-745 and it sounded and felt alright. What did your daughter think?

You found a used NU1 ..... did you or your daughter try it ?

If you are leaning towards the NU1 you should at least think about what course of action to take if you need out of warranty service; where to go, who will do it?

Be aware that multiple owners of CLP745 have also noticed a few unpleasant sounds, with B sharps, in or around the third and fourth registers.

See the CLP7XX thread ( currently over 100 pages) starting on this page here with initial problem posted by Gaia.

https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthre...lavinova-clp-700-series.html#Post3103131

Some have characterized this problem as odd resonance, some call it beeping, some say they notice it but do not mind, others say they do not notice. For the time being it seems Yamaha is not addressing this issue. Either way, if you are leaning towards the 745, even with a warranty, you should think about where to go or who will do it if you need service.

Good luck.

However, the CLP key actions are also not comparable with acoustic ones I'd recommend you to compare the key action with the NU1X, acoustic U1/U3, and some DP competition (Kawai CA, Roland HP/LX with PHA50, Casio GP).

Sorry no personal experience with the NU1.

http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2856221/yamaha-nu1-loud-note-fix-sort-of.html

I would take an NU1 over any CLP any day of the week. It's an amazing, top tier digital piano, no matter its drawbacks.

My NU1 does not have the CFX sample. I think this applies to the NU1X. Who cares anyway, add on an iPad if you want instant and easy access to other piano sounds if you get tired of the inbuilt ones. My NU1 has the firmware update to improve the loud note behaviour, which I never encounter; some Bach and only one easier Chopin in my repertoire. My NU1 is I think 9 years old now, action is good as new IMHO, certainly better than my teachers well maintained mini-grand. Some GAS but playing and practice comes first. Try before buy.

Your NU1 does have the CFX; what it does not have is the Bosendorfer.

Also, are you saying that Yamaha released a fix (firmware update) for the NU1?

Last I checked, there was no fix for the NU1, but if that has changed since, even better, and the more I would take the NU1 over the CLP745!

Keep in mind that ‘my choice’ is based on assuming that the NU1 is in excellent condition. It is the buyer’s responsibility to check and confirm this before buying.

Thanks for all your useful thoughts.

Yeah, there’s always risk when buying used ones. Especially when there’s no waranty left.

It’s hard to catch all hidden faults when trying a used piano under a short limit of time. Unlike a new one which I can try many times before I place an order.

My husband is leaning to buy a new 745 rather than a used one. Waranty is a must from his point of view.

The reason I was considering 745 was my daughter and I like the feeling with wooden keys. She could feel the difference when she played 735 and 745.
Same for me.

It’s really a tough decision. There’s though no perfect piano unless budget is bot a problem I guess.