BUYING TIPS
Hire A Qualified Piano Technician Or Bring Your Piano Teacher
Sometimes, used pianos are better than new ones.
But no matter how much money you are spending, it’s always best to seek the advice of a credited piano technician to examine the piano for technical and mechanical problems. This will prevent any hidden and expensive maintenance looming.
Here are some tips and insights to help you in your search for used pianos.
For first time buyers, you must consider:
Assessing Piano Conditions
The piano is a complex instrument and depends on many factors. For example, the many different makes and the country of manufacture with even some European sounding brand names but made in China.
Not to mention, hidden factors like rusty strings and insect infestation such as termites, wood borers and even felt eating bugs that cannot be detected to an untrained eye.
Rusty Piano Strings and Tuning Pins
Piano Bridge with Termite Damage
You can do some research on the following factors above, including how to tell if a used piano is in good condition. For example:
It takes a lot of work and research to get it right.
Hence, it is advisable to consult with a Qualified Piano Technician, paying them a reasonable fee and get them to look at the piano before you buy it or get a piano teacher to play it. That will save you a lot of trouble and expensive repairs later on.
A consultation/appraisal with a piano technician typically costs around $90 SGD.
Observing the technician or your piano teacher in action might even shed light on your next piano purchase and give insight on what to look for in pianos.
Other Help Resources:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying a Piano
Jennifer B. Flinn, Marty C. Flinn
Unfamiliar with manufacturers, manufacturing methods, materials, or price ranges, the piano buyer can still educate himself before making the big investment, saving time, money, and frustration.
This is the first book written by salespeople that dispels myths and airs dirty tricks, making it an easy-to- use buyer’s guide for all the well known, and many of the not-so-well known, piano models.
- How to choose from new or used, digital or acoustic, upright, grand, hybrid, or player pianos.
- Piano technicians and teachers require this accurate information to dispense advice on buying.
The Piano Book
Larry Fine
The Piano Book — How to buy and care for a piano — the consumer’s “bible” since 1987. A piano is one of the largest consumer purchases most people will ever make.
Yet when you shop for a piano you’re up against a vast variety of brands, models, and styles, competing claims, and strange terminology. Finally, here is a book to guide you through the process with practical information on every aspect of buying and owning a new or used piano.
- Sales gimmicks to watch out for — and the real differences in piano quality and features.
- How to negotiate the best deal.
- Tips on finding, inspecting, appraising, and buying a used piano.
- Checklists for examining a used or rebuilt piano prior to purchase.
- A depreciation schedule and a table of market values for used and rebuilt pianos.
- Many other tips and tricks.