🎹 Avoid Disaster | Top 10 Mistakes When Buying a Used Piano | Piano Buying Guide 🎹

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0:00 - Video Introduction
0:20 - Mistake #1
1:18 - Mistake # 2
2:47 - Mistake #3
3:32 - Mistake #4
4:31 - Mistake #5
5:40 - Mistake #6
6:48 - Mistake #7
8:13 - Mistake #8
9:38 - Mistake #9
10:48 - Mistake #10

Today we’ll talk about the top 10 mistakes people make when buying a used piano, leading to pianos that are too big, too expensive or turn into giant money pits.

Things to Consider

Size Matters - Except When It Doesn’t
Don’t let outdated contrived guidelines on piano size determine the piano that is right for you. The musical experience should always win, even if it defies convention. Sometimes a smaller grand can produce better sound than a large upright. The only real restriction is the space you have available. Let your ears do the deciding.

The Cracked Soundboard Myth
For most people, a cracked soundboard is a deal breaker; however, in most cases, it’s nothing but an eyesore and doesn’t affect the piano’s performance. Because of the stigma that accompanies a cracked soundboard, these can be some of the best deals in the used piano market.

Piano X
This is an otherwise lackluster piano whose sole focus is on the fantastical claims of a pop culture connection or a remarkable history. While this type of piano does exist, it will come with some type of documentation to verify it. If an insane price markup is justified solely by this unverifiable history, beware.

Piano Odometers
Pianos should be judged on their current condition and performance, and not how old they are. Age is almost a useless measure unless the piano is under 5 years old. An older infrequently used piano may be a better purchase than a newer piano that has been played extensively. Check the hammer condition, regulation, tuning records, and the unisons.

Assuming Used is a Better Value
All pianos degrade, and used pianos are priced based on how they are performing and the maintenance costs they will need to stay at that level. While the maintenance costs are normally less than the savings you realize, there’s also a performance sacrifice. Used pianos usually have a smaller dynamic range, uneven voicings or loosened mechanics. When you assess what will inspire you to perform, these issues may offset the savings when compared to a new piano.

Ignoring Digital Pianos
There have been huge leaps in digital technology. A medium to high-quality used or new acoustic piano is a more immersive experience, but since most owners don’t maintain them beyond the bare minimum, a high-quality digital piano will provide a more consistent playing experience for a beginning student or adult hobbyist.

Buying for Unusual or Outdated Features
Features such as two pedals instead of three may eliminate many future buyers for your piano. Uprights with spinet actions or missing mute systems, as well as pianos with fewer than 88 notes, are also future deal breakers. If the piano you love has one of these or a similar feature, don’t eliminate it right away, but have realistic expectations about the future value of that instrument.

Not Buying Locally Seasoned Pianos
There is no evidence that a piano that was made for or used in one region cannot be enjoyed in another. Apart from a new piano, any piano will be acclimatized to its local environment. That being said, after a year or two in its new environment, if there are no major stresses or damage because of the move, it’s unlikely any will appear.
Don’t Worry, We’ll Fix That
While there are many established piano dealers who are more than capable of properly vetting, renewing and preparing pianos for new owners, there are also many who are not. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have pianos that you should consider, but their ability to address any concerns before or after the purchase will be limited.

All Warranties Are The Same
Don’t rely on a warranty that is longer than the business offering it is old. A 10-year warranty for a 2-year-old business isn’t as valuable as a 5-year warranty from a 20-year-old business. Dig into what the warranty entails. See if the business has a history of standing by its obligations along with a technical capacity to fulfill them. If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.

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