As a self-employed Piano Technician, over the last 25 years, I have serviced thousands of pianos, over 100 brands, old and new.  I have also observed the level of satisfaction that hundreds of my clients have experienced with their pianos. 

 -          Rick Conder, Owner

Each individual has their own specific requirements and desires in the type of piano they wish to acquire.  Good piano sources can range from piano stores and technicians to estate sales and the classifieds.  Though the latter options may be more logistically difficult for the individual buyer, sometimes very good deals can be found.   One of the first things to consider is the size and style of piano that you want.

Grand Pianos vs. Vertical (or Upright) Pianos:

Grands have mechanisms (actions) that use weight and gravity to reset the action and determine the “touch” of the keys.  This prevents variation over time, compared to vertical (upright) pianos, which use wire springs to reset the action.  These springs weaken over time and drastically affect the “touch” of the piano.  Also, grand keys can be depressed repeatedly without having to return to the starting position.  The result is a fast-responding action.  Upright keys, when played repeatedly, must rise to their original position before the action will re-engage.  Grand pianos project their tone better.  Their soundboard projects from underneath the piano, and the lid opens to allow the soundboard and strings to project upward unobstructed.  Uprights are usually positioned with the back of the piano against a wall.  In this position, the soundwaves projected from the soundboard are obstructed by the wall on one side and the cabinet panels on the other.  Although a grand piano makes a dramatic statement in a room, most people do not wish to dedicate the 40 – 60 square feet of floor space necessary to accommodate a piano of this size, and a vertical piano is an option that can be considerably less expensive.

Grand Pianos

The optimum style is the grand piano.  Grand pianos range in length from 4’-6” to 9’-0” or more.  Few situations require the larger concert grands, and the smallest grands have a lot of limitation in tone quality.

Depending on the quality of the piano, a full, clear tone is seldom obtained from a grand less than 5’-0” in length.   In my opinion, the best tone quality grands are 5’-6” and longer.  After 6’-0”, the main consideration would be that the fullness of the tone be suitable for the size of the room.  For instance, a 2,000 SF room with a 15’ ceiling could require a 7’ to 9’ concert grand, because a 6’ grand would sound distant.  However, a concert grand in a 300 SF room with an 8’ ceiling would be “overkill”.

Vertical Pianos

Vertical pianos are the common alternative.  Vertical pianos also come in different sizes.  Although they all have similar footprints (approximately 26” deep X 58” wide), the height varies, depending on the style.

Spinets are the smallest, usually about 37” tall.  The limited height requires that the action be lower than the keys, so each note has a few additional parts.  Repairs can be more difficult, and like the smallest grands, there are limitations in tone quality. 

Consoles are next, about 40” tall.  The extra height allows the action to be above the keys, which makes it more durable, and also adds 150 square inches of sound board and additional string length, which translates into a better overall tone quality.

Studio Uprights are next, about 43” tall.  Studios have the same advantages as consoles, only more so.  Some studios have comparable tone quality to a small grand.  They perform well in larger rooms.  Studios are primarily designed for more institutional purposes.  The cabinets are basic and sturdy, as opposed to the more stylish furniture qualities of the spinets and consoles.

New Pianos vs. Used Pianos

Buying a piano can be very tricky.  New pianos can vary in quality from one to the next on the assembly line, and the same model of piano can vary drastically, depending on what year it was built.  Most of the great names that built reputations building top quality pianos have been sold to other companies that build pianos today in other countries where labor is cheap, usually using cheaper quality materials.  Then they put a name, like Baldwin, Kronich and Bach, Everett, etc. on the piano, and use the reputation built by the original companies to sell cheaply constructed pianos.

 It is my opinion that pianos built in the first half of the 20^th century, almost without exception, are of much higher quality than the pianos built in the last few decades.  The older pianos incorporate more painstaking craftsmanship with higher quality materials, and the patience to allow the wood used to make the components to cure thoroughly before fabrication.

Though expensive, this option is much more affordable than a new “high quality” piano.  The piano should last for generations and could be passed down as a cherished family heirloom.  

If you do not require a piano that lasts long enough to pass on to children or grandchildren, a newer, less expensive piano could be your best option.  Though they don’t perform as well as a truly “high quality” piano, some of the newer pianos are so inexpensive, it’s truly mind-boggling.

Though we don’t sell new pianos, I must admit, some of the new, inexpensive pianos perform surprisingly well for the money.  The main limitation that I have found with the newer pianos (with the exception of a very few brands such as Steinway) is longevity.  After 20 or 30 years, most have started developing serious problems with strings, bridges, and other major components that not only ruin the performance of the piano, but usually don’t leave a viable foundation to justify a restoration.  However, considering the affordable price of these pianos, they can be considered “disposable” every generation.  Piano dealerships have an interest in promoting this theory, simply because they sell more pianos.  Another consideration with new pianos is that, for a few years, they require service more often.  The steel strings are still stretching, and the tuning pins are still settling in the pin block, so tunings do not hold very long.  Also the felt in the action becomes compressed with use, affecting the regulation of the piano.  After a few years, both of these problems diminish, as the piano settles.  Other problems I frequently see in the first few years of a less expensive piano’s life are warping and cracking.  The manufacturers of more expensive pianos usually have the patience to allow the wood used to fabricate the components in their pianos to cure thoroughly before construction.  The more affordable pianos are usually built with “green” wood.  As it cures, the wooden components, such as keys, action parts, etc., can warp, and cracks can appear in bridges and other important components. 

Most of these problems happen within the first few years.  New pianos have manufacturer’s warranties that cover serious problems such as these.  However, I have seen many instances where the piano manufacturers sell out to other companies every few years, and the new company won’t be held responsible for problems with the pianos built by the previous companies.  I have also encountered instances where manufacturers simply refuse to stand behind their pianos, regardless of what their warranty states.   Often, a reputable dealership will work with their customers to rectify the problems, but only after all other possibilities are exhausted.

Most of the dealership associates that I know are genuinely good people, but none of them appreciate my usual suggestion to people that before buying a new piano of any kind, the best option, in my opinion, is to find one 5 to 10 years old.  At that age, most of the potential problems mentioned above would have already occurred (if they were going to), and the stability of the tuning and regulation will be reaching its prime.  Also, you could save from 10% to 25% off the cost of a comparable new piano.  At that point, even the most inexpensive piano should still provide at least 20 years of reasonable performance.

"Used pianos", "pre-owned pianos", "antique pianos", "vintage pianos"…How do you determine which is which?

Sellers often use these terms to put their product in the best light. The lines can be blurry between them. The following information will define these classifications. Piano dealers often use the term "pre-owned", however, technically, they’re all "used pianos". "Pre-owned" is simply a sales technique. Piano stores often take used "trade-ins" on their new piano sales. They then provide those used pianos for sale. "pre-owned" is a term that simply sounds better than "used".

Used pianos can be found in many places, other than stores. Piano stores are not usually your best source for used pianos. Estate sales are often a great place to look. Pianos sold through estate sales are usually higher quality brands such as Steinway and Sons, Chickering, Mason and Hamlin, Baldwin, etc. Estate sales often provide very reasonable prices as well. Your local piano technicians can also be great sources for used pianos. Often aware when a piano belonging to their clients become available, they also will have intimate knowledge of the condition of these pianos. A piano technician’s opinion is important information to have, and should be highly respected when buying a piano. The classified Sales section of your local paper can be a great source as well.

When looking for a used piano, you should keep in mind that a poor environment or lack of service can cause severe damage to a piano. Either of these situations may not be revealed in a photograph, therefore a used piano should always be inspected in person before it is purchased. Ideally, this inspection should be performed by a qualified piano technician. This can greatly complicate the purchase of a piano from a distant source such as E-bay or other internet sources far from your location. Piano moving or shipping can be very costly as well. Old used pianos may have been restored. Restorations can cost several thousand dollars. However, in many cases, with grand pianos, a quality restoration by qualified and experienced technicians and rebuilders can greatly increase the value of a used piano. The increased value of the piano will usually exceed the cost of the restoration. At the same time, substandard restorations can ruin even a great piano. Sloppy refinishing, restringing, or repairs can sometimes cause damage to a piano that is so severe that it is beyond repair. Rebuilding an old piano correctly takes a true craftsman with a lot of experience.

In order to understand used pianos, you should know some information about the history of the instrument.

This site provides some information and the links can provide more detail, including illustrated information on piano restorations, rebuilding, restringing, refinishing and repairs, and also services required for proper maintenance.

The first pianos were developed as an improvement to the harpsichord. The mechanical concept of a striking hammer opposed to a plucking quill added a much wider range of effect the player can have on volume and nuance of music. Built in Europe in the 18^th century, this instrument was called piano forte. It took a half century before this newly developed instrument was refined enough to be commonly considered superior to the harpsichord.

In the 19^th century, the piano had developed into a commonly produced instrument around the world. Over the next 100 years, many technological innovations were developed. Sometimes certain innovations were time-proven failures. However, over time many improvements were made in design and construction techniques resulting in greatly improved tone quality, ease of operation, durability and longevity. In the last 100 years, no major innovations have been developed to significantly improve the performance of a piano. However, many efforts have been made to produce pianos more affordably to make them more available to the average household. Long before the television, or even before the radio or phonograph, the piano became the primary "entertainment center" in hundreds of thousands of homes around the world.

Hundreds of piano manufacturers existed in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. Small, obscure builders often built very high quality pianos, but were squelched by competition before they could establish profits to sustain the substantial expense of crafting a quality piano. By the middle of the 20^th century, almost all of the small piano manufacturers were gone, leaving only a few dozen major piano builders.

As many piano manufacturers went out of business, they would often sell designs and name rights to other, larger manufacturers. In recent years, this trend has continued, until today only a handful of major piano manufacturers remain anywhere in the world.

As the average household’s entertainment options have become practically infinite, the piano has lost some of it’s cultural importance. This phenomenon has pushed manufacturers to produce pianos much more cheaply. "Cutting corners" in both quality of materials and time consuming craftsmanship has become the norm. Most of today’s pianos are mass-produced, incorporating inferior materials as well as rushed production techniques, in areas where labor is cheap. These pianos, however cheaply manufactured, often proudly display a great old name of one of the renowned piano builders of the past.

The history of the piano now spans over 300 years. As pianos become very old, they could have the potential to become antiques, however, millions have been produced over the years. Unlike a piece of furniture or jewelry, pianos were built to perform a function as a musical instrument. In most cases, a piano will become antiquated before becoming an "antique". A few exceptions exist. For example, any existing piano forte from the 18^th century has significant historical value simply pertaining to the invention and development of the piano we know today. Any surviving examples are museum pieces.

By the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, pianos were very plentiful, so the criteria has changed. To be considered an "antique", pianos from this era are usually distinguished by certain factors. For instance, if a renowned manufacturer built a piano in a very limited quantity, perhaps commissioned by a specific customer, the piano would have historical significance in relation to the manufacturer. One of the most common examples of this would be one of the "art case" pianos built by Steinway and Sons. Other piano companies, such as Chickering, Kronic and Bach, and George Steck, also built limited edition art case pianos. However, Steinways are, by far, the most popular. This criteria is also met with the first handful of pianos built with a specific design or style that later becomes highly regarded: with the first-built being the most valuable. Sometimes, even more valuable, are pianos built specifically for famous venues or specifically for famous people combining an historical significance with a one-of-a-kind production. An example of this kind of piano is the Steinway art case grand piano built for the White House. The three legs are carved eagles and the finish includes murals of American historical events. Even a commonly produced piano that has been used in a famous venue, used by a famous person, was owned by a famous person, or was used in an historically notable performance can be very valuable. Antique pianos such as these must have this criteria verified. If authentic, they would be very desirable to collectors. Their value would depend on many aspects: importance, rarity, condition, etc. As with other antiques, major repairs, rebuilding, or refinishing can greatly compromise their value. However, sometimes, if an antique piano is functioning, it can be more valuable than if it is not.

"Vintage piano" is a term that refers to a piano that is old enough to reflect a past era in design and/or craftsmanship. Unlike antique pianos, the value of these pianos depends greatly on their condition. Usually, a piano must be at least 40 to 50 years old before you would consider it "vintage". Fortunately, unlike most pianos built in the last 2 or 3 decades (which have very limited lifespans) pianos built in the first half of the 20^th century often have lifespans as long as 100 years if they have been properly maintained and were never subjected to a harsh environment. Vintage pianos built by quality manufacturers, after half a century or more, often perform beautifully. Certain aspects such as tone quality and sustain can actually improve with age. To maintain maximum value, a vintage piano requires appropriate repairs, rebuilding, or restoration as components wear out or deteriorate. Piano restoration can be very expensive. From a marketable standpoint, most pianos are not worth the financial investment of restoration. However, grand pianos originally built to a high quality standard are usually worth any restoration necessary, performed by qualified rebuilders, to achieve the piano’s maximum potential performance. A restored vintage piano, besides making a stylish statement, often will perform better and last longer than most new pianos available today. Pianos approaching 150 years old did not perform well when they were new, as a rule. Built before many design innovations, their actions did not respond well and tone quality was limited. Consequently, rebuilding and restoration results would be limited to the original quality, and therefore would usually not increase the value of the piano enough to justify the expense to refinish, restring, repair, and rebuild it.

Restored grand pianos built from around 1870 to 1940 are the most highly regarded vintage pianos available. Depending on style and quality, they are often marketable for several times the cost of a brand new, inexpensive grand piano. Pianos from this period were usually built to incredibly high standards with the best materials and time consuming construction techniques by experienced, talented craftsmen. These older pianos retain desirable elements such as beautiful rare woods incorporated into the cabinet. Often they feature time intensive wood carvings and stylish accents seldom seen anymore. Also common in vintage pianos, though becoming more rare, are real ivory keys, which have unique character and style. Experienced piano rebuilders can preserve these elements and properly incorporate new components to restore proper performance. These aspects often make vintage pianos preferable to the cost-efficient cookie-cutter production pianos from the last several years.

As the consumer, you should evaluate each piano that you are interested in on an individual basis,