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Buy a piano
A SHORT BUYER'S GUIDE
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The piano is undoubtedly the most popular classical instrument. Although it now produced on a large scale, it has remained an expensive instrument.
The demand for cheap pianos has favoured the introduction of lots of dubious and poor brands which have caused some disturbance on the market. For the prospective buyer, the situation is far from simple, and unscrupulous merchants will not hesitate to add to the confusion by giving false information instead of professional support.
The short guidelines below will help you to acquire, within your budget, a piano which will prove a valued investment.
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WHICH PIANO ?
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It is important to determine which kind of piano will suit your needs.
Your child want to learn the piano. In most cases, one cannot be sure that his interest will become permanent. A beginner's piano may therefore seem an appropriate solution. The smaller uprights of a good make offer every guarantee of quality.
For an adult you may want something more elaborate right from the start in order to maintain the interest of a musically more mature being.
Amateurs should opt for lighter keyboards, to make sure piano technique is acquired in a pleasant way.
For advanced study, a sturdy instrument is essential. Intense piano playing makes great demands on the instruments technical resources (a Bach prelude may require a thousand notes per minute!). The action should be strong and precise. It should run faster than your fingers, not the other way round... A firmer keyboard will help you acquire a good technique.
Concerning the sound, it should be neither too dark nor too clear, to allow you to cover as wide a repertoire as possible.
Finally, trust your ears... and your heart. The ëideal sound' does not exist. Only a sound which particularly appeals to you, a sound with which you will be happy to make music for many years.
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DID YOU KNOW...
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- A good piano has an average life-span of 60 years (100 years for the prestigious makes). A cheap piano will be derelict after a few years... and will inevitably need costly repairs. A good-quality instrument may therefore be considered as a sound investment.
- Unlike some other instruments, pianos do not gain in value with age. Value guides are not available, and age alone is not enough to estimate an instrument.
- Repairs will not transform a piano into a new instrument. However, regular maintenance and a stable home environment will help you get the best of your instrument for a long time. A well-kept instrument will also fetch a better price on the second-hand market.
- As usual, buying the cheapest does not mean cutting costs. A high discount will usually mean that you will get poor service or no service at all on an instrument which may not be as new as it looks.
- Fortunately, there are many good makes on the market. Trust an established name, a name that will still be around in a few years' time! This is especially important if you decide to sell the instrument.
- Some dealers will tell you that the piano they are offering has a metal frame. All pianos are built with a metal frame to ensure optimal tuning stability. But this is not a guarantee of quality. Also, the quality of the cabinet's wood has no influence whatsoever on the sound. Only the soundboard wood quality is important.
- Belgian pianos no longer exist. A few dealers assemble parts purchased in Asia and offer a "Made in Belgium" label which should read "Made in Corea".
- On the long term, it is advisable to go for a good piano and avoid the expense of changing instruments on the way.
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SECOND-HAND PIANOS : "Beware"!
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Interesting second-hand pianos are hard to come by. Regarding age, sellers will usually knock-off (quite) a few years. Please remember to check the serial number of the instrument (engraved on the frame). Regarding actual condition, this is difficult to evaluate. One may tell you that the instrument has been little used, that it has been well kept. Do not be impressed by arguments such as a beautiful cabinet, smooth hammer felts, shiny strings, ...
In other words, do not believe your eyes! Have the instrument inspected by a qualified technician.
Buying privately or from a dealer?
A dealer should normally guarantee reliability, but select the dealer carefully.
If you buy privately, you may be lucky... or it may prove to be a nightmare (no recourse is possible). A technician's opinion is therefore essential.
Please note :
- There is a traffic of second-hand Yamaha pianos. These instruments have not been built for our climate and do not comply with our quality criteria. These instruments are NOT guaranteed by Yamaha. Always buy a Yamaha, even in second hand, to an official dealer.
- Do not under-estimate the cost of repairs. Have an estimate made, to make sure the piano is not going to cost more than a new one.
>>> Our second-hand pianos
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SECOND-HAND or RENTAL / RENTAL WITH BUYING OPTION ?
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If you want to put your interest in piano playing to the test (or your child's), rental with a buying option seems a good choice. You benefit right from the start from the advantage of playing on a new instrument, you can test it for up to two years before you decide whether you will buy it, your rentals are deducted.
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WHAT ABOUT DIGITAL PIANOS ?
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They have improved a lot during the last few years. But there are important drawbacks: the keyboard is light and does not favour the development of a good technique, and the sound quality is poorer.
An electronic instrument may represent an interesting alternative, but on a temporary basis, unless you settle for a top-of-the-range model, which may cost... more than an acoustic piano. Also, depreciation on electronic instruments is much higher. Electronic instruments are of course essential for those who are interested in musical research.
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SILENT SYSTEM / QUIET TIME
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One of the main advantages of electronic instruments is the possibility to set the volume at a lower level and play without bothering the neighbours. But acoustic instruments now offer an interesting alternative: by depressing the middle pedal or pulling a lever, hammer heads are prevented from hitting the strings. The piano is then no longer an acoustic instruments, but still keeps its traditional keyboard qualities. Only you hear what you play. When the system is not activated, you can enjoy all the normal acoustic qualities of your instrument. This technical break-through has attracted many players.
>>> Our pianos with "Silent Option"
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