🎹 Avoid Disaster | Top 10 Mistakes When Buying a Used Piano | Piano Buying Guide 🎹
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
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#UsedPiano #AvoidDisaster #PianoBuyingGuide
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Don’t let outdated contrived guidelines on piano size determine the piano that is right for you.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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Would you guys consider doing a video on acoustic piano dampp-chaser, and any other, humidity control systems?
Hi! Brent here! That is an excellent idea. I will certainly pass it along to our production team for consideration. :)
Thank you so much for another great video, Stu and team!!!
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for tuning in! :)
Stu again tells it like it is. As someone who tries not to get into "cork sniffer" territory with instruments...I will just add that, hands down, the best piano (or any instrument) you can have is the one you're motivated to actually play. Having something that checks boxes for quality means little if you don't actually enjoy playing the thing, and someone who dearly loves the sound of their slightly "off" upright and plays the crap out of it...well, that's a damn fine piano right there I'd say :).
Hi David! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your advice! I certainly concur with the sentiment. The "best" instrument is a very personal and subjective thing. While I have several pianos now, my very first Young Chang studio upright has a special place in my heart. :)
Thank you for another great video. I have a 1904 Steinway model K upright that I'm considering having totally refurbished. But it's in need of a lot of repairs so I'm on the fence of doing the overhead or getting another piano. This one does have a wonderful sound and also has ivory keys.
You're very welcome! That is certainly a difficult choice to make. If you enjoy the sound and the touch though, that should certainly be factored in. :)
Thank you for another great quality of content video Stu and team.
I live on the other side of the country, and your videos were key to the purchase of my first upright, acoustic piano this week, a barely used 2011 Kawai K3 in excellent condition (from my observation) via private sale, for a very good price in comparison to what's available locally on the market.
I'll find out how good of a condition it is in after my local JPTA and First Degree Japan National Licensed technician gives it a proper inspection and tune/regulation in a month after it's been acclimated (technician's recommendation).
Cheers!
Hi! Brent here! Congrats on your Kawai K3! They are awesome pianos and I know you will be thrilled with it. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@Merriam Music thanks🎹🎶
You're very welcome! :)
Thanks again Stu for a very useful video, which reminds me that long not ago I purchased a 1970s U1 which had been reconditioned (or was it restored, rebuilt or refurbished - watch out for this terminology) by Yamaha in Japan themselves; it even came with a certificate. I purchased the piano from a dealer with good reviews, yet I was inexperienced and it was not till I had been playing the piano at home for a few weeks that I realised there was something seriously wrong. I could not get consistency of volume across the keyboard and my hands ended up aching. As it transpired, the static note down weight varied dramatically across the keyboard, ranging from 56grams to 76g (it should be circa 48-52g)! The dealer did take the piano back and refunded me in full and I have since purchased a brand new piano, but the confidence I had falsely gained by the 'reconditioned by Yamaha' aspect and that 1970s Yamaha U1s were amongst the best, was certainly misplaced. A final note I would add is that piano designs are getting better (albeit slowly), so if someone tries to tell you that a piano built 50yrs ago or more is going to be better than a modern piano, be very wary.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights. I'm sorry to hear you experienced some issues with the 70s Yamaha U1 that you purchased. At the end of the day, pianos do have a lifespan and a younger, more modern instrument will generally outperform an older piano of equivalent quality. With that said, I'm happy to hear that you sorted out a piano solution for yourself and that you were able to get a refund.
"is like judging a groom on his wedding day". Or the bride! The bride! 😉😂
:)
4:48 I've come across meny videos that tell you not to buy a used Range Rover haha! Great vid as always🎹🎶
Thanks so much! We appreciate it! :)
I acquired a Yamaha digital GP a short time ago. The piano is 15 years old and came with everything. It is the best piano that this amateur piano player will ever own and it is a hoot.
That's awesome! Glad to hear that it has held up well for you! :)
Whoa... what's with the U1 shade at the end? I was actually interested in it.
I don't think Stu was throwing shade at the U1. He was just stating that it is worth considering pianos of different heights as there are many factors beyond just height that impact the musical performance and output of an instrument.
This is good advice. Having owned an acoustic baby grand, I think the relationship with a local dealer that will stand behind and service the piano is at least as important as the 12:05 piano itself (new or used). Going down any other road is very risky IMHO. I’m not in the business so there is no commercial motivation in saying this. Just my two cents. It’s not just a product, it needs a trustworthy and competent relationship. All pianos are different the same way people are. Just walk into a showroom and try playing the different pianos. If they are all over the map there’s a message there.
For sure! That is definitely sound advice. At Merriam Music, the relationship and trust we build with our clientele is our number one priority. The relationship between the business/sales rep and the customer does not end with the purchase of an instrument; it begins. :)
Just a question? Did the sostenuto pedal already exist during the time of classical music?🎹🎶
The sostenuto pedal was invented in 1843/1844. While the start and end points can be somewhat arbitrary, this would be just after the classical period and into the early Romantic period by most historians' accounts.
Hey, I have an unusual question. Is there a piano made without animal by-products? I mean, with non-animal substitutes for wool felt, leather and shellac?
I saw Yamaha made an experiment with other materials for the hammers and the only one that provided a result close to felt was leather, but not without noticeable difference.
Even digital pianos usually feature felt parts.
Thanks!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is a good question. I am not aware of any pianos that would be 100% without animal byproducts. The wool is the component that I am unfamiliar of a synthetic substitute for.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks!
On an acoustic piano, everything can be fixed or replaced if you are willing to pay the money on it. A cracked pinblock is more problematic because it also involves the restringing of the instrument. Soundboard can be fixed but I don't trust glued back pinblock. Regarding mistake number 5, tuning, voicing and regulating a piano is required no matter what on any acoustic piano. It's just a question of time or play. If regulating and voicing your piano is unnacceptable and that's why you buy new, let me know where they traded your piano just to make sure that I never touch it. In this case, just buy a throw away digital piano.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights regarding acoustic pianos! We appreciate it! :)
Prity sure they replace pinblocks once they're cracked🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Indeed they do but if you intend to do it, you will replace the string, put new pins. With bright strings and pins, your old hammers look out of place so let's replace them with the dampers. You know what, we should re-pin it and change a few bushing too...
@@michelprimeau4531 from what I understand the strings if in still in good condition don't have to be replaced. Still just in case I'll try to ask around about this🎹🎶
does your camera man use a lot of lsd? whats with all the zooming in and out?
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate it and appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
What is the piano behind you?
I can't be certain as the pianos change positions every few weeks, but I believe the two pianos (from left to right) behind Stu are the Bechstein A190 and Seiler SE186.
My advice: pretend to be interested and ask to see the workshop. If the dealer refuses to show the workshop, you should worry.
I think there could be some legitimate reasons why dealer may not want customers in their workshop, particularly when it is active with work going on.
Interesting content as always, but the constant jump-cuts make the video unwatchable for me.
Thanks for the feedback! We are also striving to refine our content, so we always appreciate honest feedback.
@ 4:31 top 1 mistake of video editing
It was a creative decision. We are constantly experimenting with new looks/approaches.
@@MerriamPianos Good one haha!! ...joking aside .. it is a very informative video. Thank you!