Buying a Used Piano...

Dear Saverio,

It is difficult to argue guidelines for evaluating whether a piano is adequate or not. First of all, we must see if it satisfies us and if a "love at first sight" occurs. If this happens, the instrument will surely have its "points" or at least meet our expectations. Then the technician must step in and resolve certain reservations that make the instrument fully playable. Perhaps, if used, it will need a small restoration, or perhaps not; what matters is that there are no certain "obsolescences" that prevent or make it inconvenient to restore the instrument to efficiency. See you soon

Paolo

P.S. Beware of "dressed up" pianos. Sometimes, but fortunately not always, the instrument presents itself "in evening wear" and fascinates us.... maybe it doesn't hold the tuning!!!!!

P.P.S. Anyway, elements to evaluate visually: that there are no cracks in the soundboard, that the strings are not too rusty, that they are crossed, that the hammers (very important) have not been poorly shaved (check the high notes immediately to see if they have, alas, been shaved in a rounded shape!). That no deformed wooden parts are present. That the cast iron frame is sound. That the wippen (where the pins are screwed) does not have cracks.

Hello,

my name is Valerio Lentini and I live in Sicily, in Catania.

Since December of last year, I have been a member of your site; I find it truly very interesting.

I wanted to ask you for some clarification regarding a potential purchase of a grand piano.

Not being sufficiently experienced, I do not know if this is the right section to ask these questions; therefore, I kindly ask you to perhaps guide me. I look forward to your kind reply, cordially, Valerio

I would say you can ask here. See you soon

Good morning everyone and congratulations on the site and the forum!

I would like to purchase a used piano and I found one for sale on the internet for 800 euros, negotiable.

It is a Schmidt-Flohr upright piano, 130 cm, ivory keys, and according to what the advertisement states, the action has been overhauled and it is tuned.

I will go there to try it in person, but apart from rare occasions, I have always only played keyboards. For this reason, I wanted to know if you have any advice to give me on what to look for or listen for to understand if it's worth it, or if you know the brand or have other tips!

Below are some photos taken from the advertisement:

Mainly I play keyboards and I would like the right piano to put in my living room and play for friends! Therefore, I am not looking for an instrument of great value, but an "honest" instrument with a pleasant sound and aesthetics. Do you think it's worth it?

Thank you for any comments and advice!

Marco

P.s.

If you have seen other interesting sales offers around that price in Lombardy, I would like to examine other proposals!

They always have something interesting here

http://www.furcht.it/form.htm

Take a look

Thanks.. I'll take a look!

Mark wrote:

I will go there to try it out in person, but apart from rare occasions, I have always played only keyboards. For this reason, I wanted to know if you have any advice to give me on what to look for or listen for to understand if it's worth it, or if you know the brand or have other tips!

On the forum home page, by clicking on the image of the tutorials relating to "journey inside the piano", in the relevant section, the tenth lesson is actually titled: "guide to buying a used piano".