Buying a used piano tips?

[whitemerlot]

I would like to buy a used piano for my kids to learn to play on. I don't play myself and don't really know what to look for. Are there certain brands or eras I should look for? Any other advice?

Thank you.

[orval]

We started off with a keyboard. A lot cheaper than a piano especially if you don't know if they will like it. His lessons are on a keyboard as well. $125 on Craigslist
We have a Steinway piano store that has many used pianos. That might be a place to start if you want a real one. They had various price points and solid knowledge.

[Deleted]

If you buy a used piano, use a professional mover to move it and get it tuned before you start using it.

[lust2hart]

Both orval and @bellakitty said what I was going to say. You can often find used pianos on craigslist as well, for much less money than you'd pay a store.

[shananagins]

Watch craigslist or FB BST sites. You can probably find someone selling one really cheap, you'd just need to pay movers and have it tuned.

[cabbagecabbage]

Pianos are often free to people willing to move them in my area. If you are looking for a basic upright piano, don't pay much. The moving and the tuning after is probably expensive I'm guessing.

[textbookcase]

We received ours for free from an older couple at church who were getting a new one. I've seen them for free often on Craigslist. Make sure you get it tuned as soon as you get it, it costs about 150-200 in my area. We started with a keyboard when the girls first started lessons, which is what their piano teacher suggested before committing to a big piano.

[aksinger]

Piano teacher chiming in! Most pianos are just fine for kids to learn on as long as all of the mechanics work well (keys, hammers, strings, pedals, etc). The big name brands of Steinway, Yamaha and Kawai are all really good brands, but you can find older US made pianos that will be just fine for usually way less $. I have a 1916 Story & Clark upright and a 1980 Mason & Hamlin baby grand.
I'd recommend looking at used piano stores or Craigslist. My piano technician actually recommends tuning 2-3 months after the instrument is moved, that will give the wood time to get used to the new climate of a new space. You may need to get it tuned every 3-6 months for the first year as it settles into it's new environment, but after that once a year is fine.
A lot of my students start with keyboards (less than 88 keys, not as expensive, less quality touch and sound) or electric pianos (88 keys, which is a full set, better touch, better sound but also more $). If kids stick with it, parents are more inclined to invest in a real, acoustic piano. We also live in a remote area with no piano stores within hundreds of miles and no tuner in town (mine flies in twice a year), so electric is often way easier. Casio is a decent brand, but Yamaha seems to be the best for both keyboards and electric pianos. Hope all this helps, please feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

[dirtyred]

Jan 11, 2017 10:27:15 GMT -5 orval said:

We started off with a keyboard. A lot cheaper than a piano especially if you don't know if they will like it. His lessons are on a keyboard as well. $125 on Craigslist
We have a Steinway piano store that has many used pianos. That might be a place to start if you want a real one. They had various price points and solid knowledge.

Yes, start with a keyboard.

Check Craigslist; there will be many for sale.  And should you want a piano, I'd go there, too.  When my DH had the bug to buy a piano (we didn't, thank God) there were over 500 for sale, and several for free.

[moolarkey]

If you neighborhood has a Next Door page, facebook page, or other social media - post a request on there for a good condition, used piano. Someone will probably give you one. We have them come up probably 3 times a year.

[lissaholly]

Some piano stores will let you rent a Piano. Some will even take your monthly rent and apply it to the purchase in the future. We ended up just getting my parents old piano, but sewers strongly considering renting.

[lilac05]

Start with a keyboard.

Best benefit: Volume control!

Kids may also like being able to change the sounds. They're also always in tune.

My dad sold our baby grand when I was a kid to buy a fancy new keyboard. It was the 80s, so they were new & cool. He bought a nice one with cool features for that time, but it's not a full set. He doesn't even play! My mom and I have never forgiven him for that one. I still remember them taking it out of my house.

[IndiaInk]

I would personally not want to play on a keyboard. They just don't have the same touch - they feel like a toy comparatively. And a good electric piano with weighted keys is not cheap. If you want your child to enjoy playing, buy a real piano, even just a cheap or free one from CL.