Buying a Piano
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BUYING A PIANO?
Richard
Thinking of buying a used piano?
There are hundreds of pianos available on various websites, such as Ebay and Gumtree, at a huge range of prices. Here is some advice on how to make the right choice:

  • There are some great pianos at good prices - some even FREE!
  • Go for the best you can - getting an old, worn thing 'for the kids to learn on' can actually harm their progress, and stifle their potential love of the instrument
How does the piano look and play?
 It is REALLY important that you go and inspect the piano closely.
  • Open it up - it is easy to do. The top is hinged, and the front panel has a release catch at each end, on the inside.
  • The piano should look like the  picture to the right, though probably not as clean!
  • The 'action' parts should all look the same and roughly in line with each other.
  • Check for signs of rust on the strings and tuning pins - shouldn't be any!
  • Although not important for the piano to be in tune, each note should play and work freely.

Piano expert

Avoid 'Birdcage' pianos!
If you see something like the picture on the left, where most of the action is hidden behind a row of vertical metal rods (hence 'birdcage'), you are looking at a Victorian cheap end piano. They are not good pianos and are a nightmare to tune. It is the equivalent of buying an old, beat-up clunker of a car! HOWEVER, if you are looking for a beautiful piece of furniture, some of these old pianos are truly stunning to look at!

So what should you be paying for a used piano?
Be ready to pay £300-500 for a decent upright up to about 50 years old. Older pianos will be less, and maybe even free! Free pianos are not necessarily bad pianos - many people just need the space!
Remember to factor in transport. Pianos are very heavy, and should be transported by professional movers. You CAN get away with  a van and 3-4 strong people for an upright.
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