How to buy a piano
NEW OR USED
Cracked pinblock
Many serious problems can arise with used pianos, especially the much older ones and it is useful to have some understanding of the faults which can arise.
Older pianos can have serious structural problems usually caused by central heating or just the age of the materials. Many have loose tuning pins or even cracked pinblocks, so they will not hold in tune. The bridge or soundboard can be split or worse still the iron frame may be cracked. Strings can sound dull or be rusty and on the verge of breaking. These sorts of problems are very expensive to repair.
Split bridge
Split soundboard
Worn hammers
Broken tapes
As well as structural faults, older pianos usually need a whole range of attention to the playing mechanism due to severe wear over the years, such as worn hammers or weak dampers. A lot of detailed hand work is involved here which is again very costly. This is all without considering the condition of the cabinet and the cost of making the piano presentable.
We previously spent many an hour carefully restoring older pianos. It was often very rewarding work, but gradually we found that it was no longer cost effective. Regrettably, many dearly loved old pianos are beyond economic repair when compared to the cost of new or more recent used options. As there are so many possible problems with older pianos and they are deteriorating more year by year, our general advice is to avoid them altogether.
There can still be exceptions to this rule where an older high quality instrument might be worth rebuilding but this can be very expensive to do properly and the value of the piano needs to justify the cost. It is essential to assess the piano carefully first to make sure restoration is viable and then to carry out the work to a good standard. So proceed with caution if you are considering this option and obtain the help of an experienced technician or a really reliable supplier.
Even when restored well, older instruments remain very vulnerable to the effects of modern heating, so they need careful looking after and should not be expected to offer the same longevity as a modern built piano.
A more recent used piano can be a better prospect, perhaps giving the option of a higher quality instrument at a moderate price. It is still important, though, to find the right piano and even recent ones can have significant problems according to their age.
Many pianos made in the sixties for example used early plastic parts in the mechanism which fatigue and break or become noticeably noisy. Some used imports can suffer from major wear having been used in schools or colleges for long periods and may be sold without being refurbished.
It is essential, then, that even a recent used piano is assessed carefully first, followed by the full range of checks and adjustments and then any necessary repairs carried out. So don’t buy without advice or the guarantee of a reputable company.
Modern laminated pin block
Newer pianos do have the huge benefit of more modern materials designed to cope with central heating as well as using better glues and more advanced methods of wood drying in their construction. In particular, they have laminated tuning blocks which provide much better tuning stability. The mechanism will not be worn out and you will have an instrument that you can rely on for many more years.
We stock a range of recent used pianos which are all carefully selected and come with a full 3 year guarantee. Many are just a few years old, and so benefit from the materials and construction methods used in newer instruments. They all receive the same level of preparation and service which we provide for new ones.
Ring us for the latest details of our used piano stock.
Brand new action
Obviously, going to a brand new piano has all the advantages of modern construction and you will be able to select just the right tone and cabinet without any doubts about the previous level of use and care. You can compare different makes and choose the design and colour which will suit your home best. The piano will also have the benefit of a full manufacturer`s warranty when bought from a registered dealer. See the range of makes which we have in stock for you to compare.