Advice on buying a secondhand piano

kidshorsesdogs

We will be on the look out for a good second hand piano for our son in the very near future. Neither of us play so we'd be useless with a private sale. We have been told to avoid auctions, freecycle, charity shops and gumtree all better suited to our budget but husband's philosophy is to buy cheap is to buy twice! However we are not looking at the next Chopin here so we need to be realistic about our budget.

We have concidered digital but he is adamant that he plays an acoustic better!

I was hoping somebody may be able to recommend a piano dealer in Belfast, Co Antrim, Co Down area as imagine delivery would be expensive too! So any recommendations would be great thank you :beer:

magpiecottage

You might want to check what his teacher says before committing yourselves.

Ours said that a "keyboard" is a different instrument but a digital "piano" that feels like an acoustic one to play is fine.

We bought a Yamaha P85 for £467 (to the Mainland) delivered from Digital Village. It plays notes sampled from a Yamaha grand piano (and other things) and doesn't need retuning.

I am sure there are much better products out there but if he ever gets that good somebody richer than me can sponsor him!

Rach39

I bought an electric piano - don't be put off, not like a keyboard, proper piano with pedals and v authentic acoustic sound - for around £400 from AA Music near Ballinderry. They also do acoustic pianos, lots and lots and whole range of prices. Nothing wrong with buying second hand so long as you get tuned and is generally in good nick no woodworm etc. Try Ads for Free as usually quite a few in there. The thing is with second hand the chances are they are rarely played as bought for youngster takin lessons who doesn't practise, hence the sale!! Good luck, hope you have a wee Chopin after all (you never know!)

Ballymackeonan

On traditional pianos:
Do you know anyone who plays a bit (or used to play) who could test a piano for you?

Since you will probably have to get a piano tuned after you move it (and it's settled in for a while) it doesn't need to be in tune when you buy it. You need to be sure that all the notes are working, and that none of them sound "tinny" or otherwise unusual when you play them - a good tuner can repair this but it's an additional cost!

Better pianos are on a cast-iron frame, rather than a wooden one - lift the lid up and have a look, check the cast for damage/woodworm.

Also consider where you're going to put it, pianos are heavy so you won't want to move it much - and they don't like central heating. Puttiing a traditional piano near a radiator is a recipe for disaster - the wood might split, or at the least it will always be going out of tune.

And try yo get an adjustable piano stool if you can!

BigAl94

Try these people http://www.drummondreid.com/index.php near Carryduff

kidshorsesdogs

Thank you for all your replies and advice. Husband thinks the digital may be the way to go especially as there is always the option of earphones!! I don't mind as long as long as they are both happy.

SuperMum2010

I recommend the earphone option to start with! Also, we gave a piano away on freecycle a while ago because we didnt have room, there was nothing wrong with it, so maybe dont totally discount the idea if you are looking for a freebie?!

attritioner

I agree on the going down the digital route. Unless you want a piano that looks great in your home a digital is a better buy and you don't have to worry about tuning. I purchased a Yamaha digital piano from this company and would recommend them
http://www.hendersonmusicireland.com

kingston_2730

We got a beautiful acoustic black Yamaha piano from AA music. It is very classy and they delivered and tuned for free. It was used but in perfect condition and cost us £2400. There was a huge selection there with a wide price range. I would recommend them.