Buying a used piano is a great alternative, allowing you to acquire a high-quality instrument at an affordable price. However, how do you buy a used piano so that you don’t fall into the trap of hidden defects and overpay? This is a question that troubles many potential buyers. In this article, we will take you step-by-step through the process of choosing the perfect used piano.
You will discover the secrets of ad analysis – you will learn what warning signs to look out for right from the photos and description. You will learn the key questions you need to ask the seller in order to decipher the history of the instrument and assess its technical condition. Later in the article, like a skilled detective, you will dive deep into the mechanisms of a piano. You will learn to recognise the signs of wear on the hammers, strings and soundboard, as well as assessing the condition of the keyboard and cast iron frame. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pianist, this article will provide you with the necessary knowledge how to buy a used piano or grand piano in very good condition and at an attractive price.
How to buy a used piano or grand piano – step by step
- Choose a trusted dealer
- Check the history of your piano
- Has the piano been restored?
- In what conditions has the piano been stored?
- Assess the exterior of the piano
- Check the piano’s tuning
- Listen to the sound
- Look inside the piano
- Make sure the piano will be transported correctly
- Retain purchase document and warranty
1. Choose a trusted dealer
Choosing the right dealer is the key to a successful used piano purchase. Even a professional seller may try to get rid of a faulty instrument, so be careful. Avoid ascetic piano listings without any specific information, describing the piano only as ‘perfect’ – these are often just a marketing ploy. Remember that you can use Klaviano’s search engine to check whether a seller has ‘verified’ status, i.e. trustworthy, and you can read numerous music shop reviews online before making a purchase. Using a professional dealer who offers a guarantee and inspects instruments will make your purchase more secure.
This does not at all mean that private piano dealers should be avoided. Among the offers of such private sellers, you can find real gems at a bargain price. If you decide to buy a piano from a private seller but are not sufficiently familiar with pianos, you are all the more welcome to read the next items on this list.
2. Check the history of your piano
Finding out the history of the piano is the next step in making an informed purchase. Ask the seller about the age of the piano, the date it was last tuned, its repair and maintenance history, and who the previous owner was. If the owner is unable to give you this information try to find the serial number of the piano. With the serial number you are able to determine the year and place of manufacture of the piano. You can find valuable information about the make, model, year of manufacture or opinions of other users about that particular model. Also find out if the piano still has a valid warranty.
3. Has the piano been restored?
The reasonable lifespan of a piano – the period during which the instrument retains a high quality of touch and sound – can range from 20 to even 100 years. Only top brand pianos are able to retain their excellent sound beyond 70 years, while mass-produced models typically achieve a lifespan of around 50-65 years, depending on the level of care and regular maintenance. However, older pianos should not be immediately crossed off – professional restoration allows them to continue to offer high quality sound and be a great choice for musicians.
Piano restoration is a comprehensive process that includes repairing damaged components, refinishing the mechanism, keyboard and case, as well as tuning and adjustment. When you buy a professionally restored piano, you are assured that the instrument is in good working order and will only require regular tuning. Ask the seller about any renovations and find out what work has been done.
4. In what conditions has the piano been stored?
Pianos react to changes in temperature and humidity. So it is important that you find out what conditions the instrument has been stored in. Ask the dealer where the piano should be stored. The ideal conditions are room temperature, 40-60% humidity, no direct sunlight or heat sources. The piano should therefore not be stored near windows, radiators or in damp rooms such as a cellar or garage. Nor should there be any flowers on it, whether in vases or pots. The water in them could damage the piano case.
5. Assess the exterior of the piano
The visual condition of a piano can tell you a lot about its history and how it has been treated. Carefully inspect the case, looking out for any scratches, dents, fading, chipped varnish, flood marks or damage to the veneer. Assess the condition of the keyboard – are the keys even, clean, undamaged and have no signs of wear? Check if any parts are missing, e.g. the music stand, feet, trim, pedals. Visual damage may indicate improper storage, transport or neglect of the instrument.
Sellers do not always provide detailed photos of instruments directly in their advertisements. This may be due to a lack of knowledge or a desire to hide defects. Remember to ask for additional photos in such cases to ascertain the condition of the piano before you view it.
6. Check the piano’s tuning
The correct piano tuning is the basis of its good sound. Using a tuning fork or electronic guitar tuner, check the piano’s tuning. Especially the A sound, which for modern instruments should be 440 Hz.
Locate the ‘a’ sound in the central part of the keyboard - find the three black keys and look at the white key between the second and third of them; this is the ‘a’. Get the camertone to vibrate, then gently put the tip of the camertone (with the ball) to your ear and listen to the sound. Compare the pitch obtained with the ‘a’ sound on the piano. If the two sounds match, the piano tuning is correct and not too low.
Older instruments may have their tuning lowered, for example to 430 Hz. The tuner will have to tune the piano several times if it is severely out of tune (below 400 Hz) to bring it back into the correct tuning.
7. Listen to the sound
The sound of a piano is just as important as its technical condition. If possible, listen to the sound of the instrument live before buying. If the ad does not include a recording, ask the seller to send you a sound sample. During your inspection, play each key to ensure that all sounds are clear, even and jam-free. Test all pedals – do they work smoothly and seamlessly? Look out for any disturbing sounds such as buzzing, clattering, uneven sound in different octaves, creaking of the mechanism.
If you do not play and cannot assess the sound quality of the piano yourself. Ask your nearest piano tuner or technician. A professional will not only assess the sound quality, but will also advise you on technical issues. He or she can even tell you whether the model you have chosen is suitable for your needs. And explain which brands are the most respected in the industry.
8. Look inside the piano
Opening up a piano and looking at its interior can provide valuable information about its condition. For very old pianos, pay attention to the type of mechanism. Avoid pianos with a top-damper (so-called Vienna) mechanism, which is outdated, difficult to service and has inferior performance. If you see a wooden strip over the hammers and a lot of wire parts. This is a sign that the mechanism is of an old type.
Such instruments from the 19th century are usually very nice from the outside and allow you to enjoy the original old sound. However, we do not recommend such pianos, for example, as a learning instrument.
Check the condition of the soundboard (for advanced)
The soundboard is one of the most important parts of a piano, responsible for its sound. Carefully inspect the soundboard for cracks, nicks, signs of repairs, deformation and peeling from the ribs. Note whether the cracks are fresh or old and whether anyone has repaired them. Cracks in the soundboard can adversely affect the sound of the instrument, and are complex and costly to repair. More than a few unrepaired soundboard cracks can be a cause for concern. The most important thing is that they do not cause the instrument to lose the fullness of its sound.
Check strings and tuning pins (for advanced)
The strings and tuning pegs are responsible for holding the piano’s tuning. Check the condition of the strings – are they rusted or broken? Pay attention to the condition of the bass wraps – are they unraveling? Assess the condition of the tuning pegs – are they well seated, free of rust and loose? Loose tuning pegs can be indicative of tuning problems. Replacing them is expensive and complicated.
Check condition of hammers (for advanced)
Hammers strike the strings, vibrating them and generating sound. If the marks left by their strikes are large, this may indicate heavy use of the instrument. If this is the case, the hammers may need to be re-profiled or even replaced. Take a look at the felt parts in the piano to see if moths have damaged them. Check the depth of the grooves in the hammers, the amount of felt remaining and the corresponding indentation of the strings. Grooves that are too shallow or uneven can indicate wobbly hammers, and loose hammer heads can cause unwanted sounds such as clicking.
Check the cast iron frame (for advanced)
The cast-iron frame is the backbone of the piano and is responsible for keeping the strings taut. Check the cast iron frame for cracks, deformations or signs of repair. Look closely at its construction. If the light is poor, take a torch. Cracks in the cast iron frame are serious damage that will disqualify the instrument and prevent it from being repaired.
9. Make sure the piano will be transported correctly
Once you have chosen the perfect piano, in perfect condition and without any defects. All that remains is to transport it in this condition to its new home. Transporting a piano is a complex operation that requires the right equipment and experience. Pianos are heavy and delicate, so their transport should be carried out by a specialised company. Such professional transport companies with the right trolleys, safety belts and knowledge of how to move instruments safely. Improper transport can lead to serious damage to the mechanism, case or frame.
10. Retain purchase document and warranty
Once you have purchased your piano, keep your purchase document, invoice, receipt, as well as any documents relating to the guarantee. You will need these documents in case of any warranty claims or repairs.
Now, richer with all this knowledge, you can start your search for your dream piano on our Klaviano search engine. You’re sure to find something to your liking!
If you feel that you need a broader explanation of any of the above points or would like to learn even more about assessing pianos. We recommend watching the following YouTube videos: