5 Tips for Buying a Used Piano
A piano purchase can enhance your life and your children's lives but also can be daunting in your search for just the right instrument. A quality new or used acoustic piano is a much better purchase than many digital pianos for sale. Electronic pianos have their place but do not hold their value since most anything electronic depreciates quickly. Acoustic pianos not only hold their value but often increase in value over time.
#1. Determine your budget and the musical application for yourself or your family. As with most anything in life you get what you pay for and pianos are no different. There are usually any number of 'free' pianos to be had but many are completely worn out or have hidden structural problems. One person's problem instrument can easily be passed to another person. Unfortunately, once a problem piano is moved to your home, you own it and then it becomes your problem. Even a professional pianist would have trouble with many of the pianos that are free.
#2. New pianos are great IF they're made well. Many new pianos today are quickly assembled and will not hold up well over time. Plus, their prices are usually much more than a quality used piano. Granted, you will get a 'new' warranty but it is rare that you will actually have major problems with any purchase.
#3. Buy the best piano for your money. Obvious right, but consider any band or orchestra instrument that is inferior and a new student starting out will have a much harder time learning even the basics of music. Pianos are no different. It needs to play well and sound good. These are the two most important aspects of buying any piano, new or used.
#4. When deciding on a used piano, one of the best places to go is an independent piano shop that sells pianos. If the technician is experienced he can guide you in your decision and also provide delivery and after sale service. It's important to be able to trust your piano technician. He or she will know the best placement of the piano in your home as well as recommended service intervals.
#5. It's like money in the bank...what? Not literally, but a piano purchase and especially a good quality used piano will usually hold its value. New pianos always increase in price since labor and materials always go up.