Yamaha B20 Upright Piano; Polished Ebony & Chrome Fittings

A Yamaha Upright Piano with More Warmth, Depth and Long-Term Potential

The Yamaha B20 Upright Piano sits in a really appealing middle ground within Yamaha’s redesigned B Series range.

It’s still compact enough to work comfortably in most homes, but offers noticeably more depth, warmth, and musical character than smaller entry-level uprights. For many players, the B20 feels like the point where the B Series starts to become a more serious long-term instrument rather than simply a “first piano”.

At Bonners Piano Centres, we often recommend the B20 to families and progressing pianists who want a piano they can genuinely grow into over many years of playing.

A More Refined Sound Than Smaller Uprights

One of the first things most players notice on the B20 is the extra richness and fullness in the tone compared to more compact models.

That comes from several important design upgrades, including:

• a taller 116cm cabinet
• longer bass strings
• a larger soundboard area
• upgraded underfelt hammers

Together, these changes allow the B20 to produce a broader, warmer sound with greater sustain and a more expressive dynamic range.

For classical music in particular, the extra tonal depth is immediately noticeable.

New Hammer Design Inspired by Yamaha’s CFX Concert Grand

Yamaha has redesigned the hammer construction across the new B Series using technology influenced by its flagship Yamaha CFX Concert Grand Piano.

The B20 also benefits from underfelt hammers, which add an additional layer of felt beneath the hammer surface. In real-world playing, this helps create:

• a warmer tone
• smoother tonal transitions
• greater control at softer dynamics
• more tonal colour across the keyboard

Rather than sounding bright or overly sharp, the B20 has a more rounded and mature character that many players prefer as they progress.

Improved Cabinet Design and Structural Stability

The cabinet itself has also been redesigned to feel more acoustically solid and structurally stable.

Yamaha has strengthened the internal framework and introduced a five-back-post design, helping the piano maintain:

• tuning stability
• tonal consistency
• stronger resonance transfer

Back posts are a crucial part of an upright piano’s structure because they support the enormous tension created by the strings. The improved reinforcement in the B20 helps the piano feel more stable and controlled, even during more powerful playing.

Solid Spruce Core Soundboard

At the heart of the B20 is a solid spruce core soundboard designed to improve resonance and tonal projection.

Spruce is highly valued in piano building because it responds efficiently to vibration, helping create a more open and resonant sound.

Compared to previous entry-level Yamaha uprights, the redesigned soundboard construction gives the B20:

• greater tonal warmth
• improved sustain
• better projection into the room
• enhanced long-term durability

Yamaha has also improved resistance to changes in temperature and humidity, helping maintain more consistent performance in home environments.

Designed for Modern Homes

Although the B20 delivers a more substantial sound, it still works beautifully in most domestic spaces.

Practical upgrades include:

• a wider music desk for books and tablets
• soft-close fallboard
• refined cabinet styling
• improved castor design

These details may seem small, but they make the piano feel noticeably more premium in day-to-day use.

SC3 SILENT and TC3 TransAcoustic Options Available

Yamaha's B Series upright pianos are also available with Yamaha’s advanced SC3 SILENT or TC3 TransAcoustic systems, giving you the flexibility to enjoy a traditional acoustic piano alongside modern digital features.

Our Honest View at Bonners

The B20 is probably the “sweet spot” in the new Yamaha B Series for many customers.

It offers a clear musical step up from smaller entry-level uprights, but without moving into the significantly larger size and cost of higher professional models.

For players who know they’re likely to stay committed to piano long-term, the B20 makes a huge amount of sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha B20 suitable for beginners?

Yes - although the B20 is more musically capable than many beginner uprights, it’s still very approachable for new players. Many families choose it as a longer-term investment piano.

What’s the difference between the Yamaha B10 and B20?

The B20 has a taller cabinet, longer strings, larger soundboard, and upgraded underfelt hammers. This gives it a fuller tone, stronger bass response, and greater dynamic range.

Does the Yamaha B20 have a warmer sound than the B10?

Yes. The upgraded hammer design and larger cabinet give the B20 a noticeably richer and warmer character, especially in the middle and lower registers.

Is the Yamaha B20 good for intermediate and advanced grades?

Absolutely. The B20 is capable of supporting progressing students well beyond beginner level and offers enough tonal control for more advanced repertoire.

Can I try the Yamaha B20 in store?

Yes. You can experience the Yamaha B Series at Bonners Piano Centres showrooms, where our piano specialists can help you compare the differences between models. We’d always recommend giving us a call first so we can advise which showroom is best to visit to see specific models. 

Yamaha B20 Specifications

• Height: 116 cm
• Width: 149 cm
• Depth: 54 cm
• Keys: 88
• Pedals: 3
• Finish options available
• Upright acoustic piano design