Tips on How to Buy a Used Grand Piano

A grand piano is a beauty to behold, and a pleasure to play. If you are a piano lover, you want to get your hands on the best grand piano you can buy…but that can be an expensive proposition. Many people look at pre-owned grands and baby grands as a way to save some money. But are used grands alright to buy, and how do you know you’re getting a good deal? This article will tell you what you need to look for before you spend a dime.

The first thing you need to consider is your purpose for buying the piano. How often will it be played, and by whom? If you or someone else in your household is a serious piano player, then buying a new, or at least newer grand piano will usually offer the best tone and performance. If you only play now and then, or mainly want a piano as part of your decor (which many people do, because they are so beautiful), then you have a much wider range of choices, especially with used grand pianos, as tonal quality is not of utmost importance.

Second-hand grands and baby grands usually have much more elaborate casework than new pianos. They also bring their own character with them. Make sure that the piano has been reconditioned if you intend to play it at all, or else you will be stuck with nothing more than a large (but beautiful) piece of furniture.

If you do play, note that some old, reconditioned models may actually have wonderful tone…even on par or better than a new grand, if it has been well taken care of. Play a few songs and see how it sounds. always ask how old the piano is…if it it close to or over eighty years old, you may want to skip it entirely.

Check both private sellers and piano dealers. You will usually pay more through a dealer, but there is a better chance that you are getting a grand piano that has been reconditioned properly, or even totally rebuilt. Ask what work was done to the piano, and when. Dealers will also tend to have more ‘name’ pianos, and spend more time restoring them to their playable condition.

You can get great deals buying privately, but it means a little more work on your end. If you do buy privately, you want to make sure that the piano has been thoroughly checked out by a reputable technician…and in many cases, this means hiring someone yourself to do the job, just as you would hire a home inspector before you bought a house. Check the casework thoroughly, and have a look at the insides to see if it has been cared for over the years, or is neglected and dusty. Ask when it was tuned last, and if it has been around ten years then don’t bother, unless you are willing to have it looked at by a professional.

If you know exactly what kind of grand piano you want, you can set up a free alert at CraigZoom Alerts, and be notified as soon a grand piano becomes available in your aread that meets your specifications.

Used grand pianos can be a great buy, and if you are willing to do some research and footwork you can find amazing deals on some real treasures. Just tread carefully, and know what to look for before you hand over your money.

Also read:

How does a grand piano work?
How To Clean And Care For Your Grand Piano