Is Buying a Second-Hand Piano a Bad Idea?

First the worst, second the best. 

Okay, so this may be a childish rhyme, but if you’re searching for a great deal on a piano, the sentiment holds true. And with the possibility of saving up to 50% on the price of a new model, why would you consider doing anything other than buying second-hand? 

Yet the reality is, many people avoid used pianos for sale, put off by tales of wasted money and disappointment – but this could be a costly mistake! 

Want to know the real truth about buying second-hand? 

Here we take a closer look at why investing in a pre-owned piano could turn out to be the best money you ever spent.

Fact 

• They’re cheaper

First and foremost, used pianos offer great savings. 
On average, you can expect to pay around half the amount you would pay out for the equivalent model brand new. 

• They offer great value

People’s biggest fear is often that whilst you’ll be shelling out less money, you won’t get the same quality, resulting in spending more in the long run. 

Not so if you buy from a reputable dealer. In fact, many retailers offer the same guarantee with their used pianos for sale as they do with new models – so buying second-hand just makes more financial sense. 

• You get a little slice of history

Many pianos are passed down through the generations and become family heirlooms. 

Think of buying a used piano in the same way. It may not have been passed through your family, but it does have a history, which adds to its character. 

Fiction

• You’ll be wasting money 

If you’ve always been taught ‘buy cheap, buy twice’, you may be wary of the impressive savings a used piano claims to offer. But if you’re concerned you’ll be forced to spend more money further down the line – don’t be.  

As long as the piano comes from a careful owner or a reputable dealer, the costs for ongoing maintenance and tuning should be no different to those of a new model.    

• It won’t sound as good

Why not?

If a piano has been looked after well and properly maintained, there is no reason the sound should be affected just because it’s been used by a previous owner.  

• It will be old

There are endless reasons why a piano might be resold – a change in circumstances, new living arrangements, developing playing needs, etc. None of these necessarily mean that the piano is very old. 

• It will be damaged  

Whilst it’s true you can’t expect the same pristine condition from a used piano that you would from a brand-new model, that doesn’t mean it will be damaged. 

Small dents and scratches that occur over time can often be polished out – and don’t affect the playing capability of the instrument. 

Buy from a reliable dealer and the piano will have received a thorough check and full refurb, so there will be no hidden damage. That said, it’s still important to ask questions about its history and always sit down and have a play – any real issues should become evident straight away.  

Spend wisely  Our best advice is to buy a used piano from a specialist dealer so you can be confident in the quality of the instrument, benefit from a guarantee, and be able to go back to them should there be any problems once you’ve parted with your money. 

With a wide collection of pianos available – including used digital pianos, ever-popular Kawai used pianos, and every other make and model you can think of – why not visit Richard Lawson Pianos? 

They promise excellent prices for new and pre-loved instruments, and every piano they sell is backed by the same 5-year guarantee and 30-day trial period. 

If that’s not enough to convince you that buying a second-hand piano is a good idea, we don’t know what is.