Shopping for a Used Piano? Here Are Some Tips (Copy)

I’ve found that when it comes to approaching buying a used piano, it is somewhat common for technicians to apply certain prejudices to the advice they give, whether it be against certain designs, or manufacturers, or price brackets. Here I have tried to, by means of four characters present helpful information for clients with budgets great and small, and possessing different priorities in the style or function of the piano they are seeking. Additionally, by way of a disclaimer, it is perhaps necessary to point out that the information presented here is by no means meant to be comprehensive, but rather give a general direction and introduction into general approaches I have found effective when looking at used piano inventory. Below we find four example shoppers, with price ranges starting from low to high.

Shopper 1: Andy

Andy is a do-it-yourself kind of guy, a father with some young children, he wants to get a piano to put in the house, like his parents used to have. In terms of budget, $0 is the cap. He plans on moving the piano himself and is only going to spend money on the repairs and tuning. Not a snob, Andy doesn’t fixate much on piano tone, or mind if the cabinet is a bit roughed up. Since the piano is going to be for learning, the main thing is that the piano plays and can stand up to some abuse. If the kids really take to it, Andy plans on possibly upgrading to a nicer instrument in a few years.

Tips for Andy:

A few things to watch out for on older upright, console and spinet pianos:

1.)Learn how to open up a piano to see the inside, bring a few basic tools (painters brush for brushing dust, a flashlight, as well as a Philipps and flathead screwdriver) with you and request permission to see the inside of the piano. It may require taking off decorations, make sure to check with the owner and get permission, as some people may be nervous about someone taking the piano apart. To remove the bottom board (see the plywood piece on the above pictured spinet), there are often two metal springs that must be pushed up, following which the board can be usually pulled out without further steps. May vary by manufacturer.

2.) If you see a line or mark on the outside finish or on the inside where it is visible that the piano has been sitting in standing water, best to stay away. 

3.) Play each key. “stuck” keys, or keys that don’t move smoothly, are for the most part are highly fixable. If there are individual notes with wild dissonance, that sound like two different notes playing at the same time, that can be a sign that strings are losing the ability to hold tension, and it would be best to stay away.

4.)It is a misconception that a cracked soundboard is a death sentence for a piano. More important to make sure that the piano bridges are intact and without cracks. If the bridge is shot, the piano is usually totaled. Lightly take a painters brush to any dust on the bridges and examine the visible parts of the bass and treble bridges, as well as the strings for rust and verdigris. 

5.)If the piano you are looking at is a spinet, open up the bottom board of the piano to see if the elbows are made of wood or plastic. If the elbows are a transparent plastic, they have likely been replaced and may be serviceable. If elbow are a white or yellow color (see above picture) they are likely either in the process of breaking or broken already, and the piano is likely totaled. It is best if the elbows are made of wood.

6.) As a general rule, the proof is in the playing. The better a piano sounds and plays, especially after years of minimal maintenance, the more likely that piano is going to sound good and play well going forward. 

7.)If you are absolutely certain you must move the piano yourself, make sure to come equipped with the proper straps to secure the piano into the truck or trailer. Pianos are top heavy, and can cause serious injury tipping over onto someone. A man standing in a truck bed trying to brace a piano with his arms may find that the cost of paying movers is chump change compared to the hospital bills. 

8.)In general, the cheaper the piano, the higher the risk of someone unloading a lemon piano onto you. Andy may find that spending a couple thousand on a lower end used piano at a reputable dealership is a safer alternative to private listings. Most dealers include the moving and first tuning fee in the purchase price. 

Shopper 2: Sue

Sue drives an SUV, has kids in middle school and is looking for a piano that can last for many years. She values reliability highly, and is willing to invest a little bit of money in order to get something that holds some value. She does research on the best piano brands, and keeps an eye out for models she knows, that others, like her kids´piano teacher,  have recommended. She wants this piano to last until her kids are out of the house, and maybe beyond.  

Tips for Sue:

1.)When searching by brand, Yamaha, Kawai, and Boston seem to fill the middle niche in the used price range for uprights as well as grand pianos, commanding a slightly higher price when sold used compared to other middle and lower end pianos. They tend to be seen as reliable, and are often seen in churches and university practice rooms. They also tend to hold their value reasonably well.

2.)In general, I would tend to steer Sue toward buying used from a reputable piano dealer, as many of them offer some kind of guarantee on the purchase of a piano. If Sue decides to try buying from a private seller, I would suggest looking at the age of the listing. Since these kinds of pianos are so desirable, piano salesmen tend to try and snap them up if they can, and a good deal on a good used piano is unlikely to stick around for long.

3.)Local piano tuners/technicians often have general knowledge of the local salespeople, and can be good resources when trying to decide where to buy from. For example, if Sue were buying a piano from a traveling piano sale, I would encourage her to find out where the company is located and whether they maintain a local storefront. Local piano stores are often more willing to stand behind their products than those that come in temporarily from out-of-state, as these are under pressure to make quick sales and can sometimes over-extemporize on the quality of their inventory.  

Shopper 3: Jeff

Jeff has played piano since he was a little kid, and after a recent promotion has started tracking online piano listings in the hope that a killer deal on a nice grand piano might turn up. He knows exactly which room in the house he wants to convert into the “piano room”. He has gone to check out some interesting used Steinway listings in person but so far they have seemed to be listed cheaper either because of advanced age or poor condition. He is looking to spend a decent sum of money on the piano, and as a result he is also very wary of making a snap decision. 

Tips for Jeff:

1.) It is normal for the process of buying a piano to take a few trips, with a minimum at least one to see the piano in person before making a final decision.  

2.) If Jeff had a likely looking candidate and wanted some final assurance on the condition of the piano, working with a technician could help with the final negotiations of price and give a little bit of extra leverage on the side of the buyer. Many technicians have some kind of deal for making these kinds of appraisals. I would encourage Jeff to work with our office to  organize something of this kind, as at this point general tips on assessing piano condition become less useful in favor of more specific feedback on the current and potential condition of the instrument in question. 

3.) Steinway makes fantastic pianos, but they are no longer the sole manufacturers at the pinnacle of grand piano design available in America. Most high end pianos made by major industry players have much to recommend them, from the Yamaha C series and the Shigeru Kawai piano line, to Bechstein, Bösendorfer, and other European manufacturers. Even the occasional Chinese Hailun or Rittmüller can punch above their weight. Again, the proof is in the playing, and finding what works for you. I’ve seen world class pianists play on 5 pianos of the same model from the same year and remark on the unique qualities of each individual instrument. If outwardly identical pianos can vary so much, then it may behoove any potential buyer to test the piano they want to own before purchasing.

4.)Despite everything just covered in point number 3 In the used piano market, the feel of a piano alone is not always a clear indicator of quality. Unless the used piano has had a recent action regulation performed, it will likely feel much worse to play than it did originally, and a basic regulation could take a piano that feels borderline unplayable and make it feel buttery smooth. It is for this reason that I would recommend so strongly that Jeff work directly with a technician when making a final purchase decision. The technician will often be able to help pick hidden potential out of a short list of candidates, or give a final vote against a piano that may be more trouble than it is worth.

Shopper 4: Judith

Judith owns a beautiful old house in a nice part of town, and is looking for a historic piano for the front room that matches the character of the furnishings. The perfect instrument is out there, and she doesn’t intend on settling until she has found one that matches her vision. Not afraid to spend money, Judith has grown frustrated at the lack of inventory in her area and has started looking at listings from several states away.

Tips for Judith:

1.)Like Sue, Judith is a piano shopper who may benefit greatly from the advice of someone who knows how to navigate the world of piano sales. However, with Judith, it is perhaps even more important to find the right salesperson, having a combination of expertise, patience, and a willingness to listen as they assist her in finding the proverbial needle in the haystack.

2.)Judith may find eventual joy of finding the perfect piano tempered by its lackluster playing condition, and begin exploring options for getting it professionally restored. In this case, our office may be able to help point Judith in the right direction. For example, if there is a service that we do not offer ourselves, such as pneumatic player restoration, our wide connections in the industry can help connect Judith with a reputable  outfit for completing the work to her satisfaction.

3.)It is important to realize that there is a wide gap between the best in the business of piano restoration and those who offer “rebuilding” services that are questionable at best and criminal at worst, and similarly to finding the right salesperson, finding the right person for the job of professional restoration is paramount for the final condition of the piano. 

4.)In general, rebuilding pianos makes sense for people like Judith who have a strong interest in a particular piano that also has significantly degraded playing condition, as well as for pianos where buying the same piano new would be similarly or more expensive than the restoration would cost.

Conclusion:

Once a piano is purchased and moved into its new home, a few rules can be followed to the advantage of the playing condition of the piano. In general, it is best to place a piano on an inside wall, not directly next to air vents, heaters, room humidifiers, or direct sunlight. The goal is to keep the piano away from excessive humidity/dryness and heat/cold. Since pianos are made of wood, they are by nature sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and will begin to go out of tune if conditions change too drastically. If you have specific questions, contact our office at 314 690 5177 and we would be happy to assist you further.