I was set on finding the right used piano for my family, but, didn’t know the "warning signs" of a bad sale or what type of brands have the best value after they age. A used piano for sale might bring up images of a piano in disrepair, broken, but by following these tips you can find the best used pianos in the area without the hassle of a questionable dealer.

Lots of maintenance to begin with
When you’ve discovered a piano that you would like to buy, make sure you can check it out in person before going through with the purchase. If the piano is already in lots of disrepair and will need major updates or maintenance, then it’s time to look elsewhere. Major maintenance includes missing keys, missing interior equipment, major re-tuning, broken or molded wood, and other big projects that will more than likely cost more than the piano itself.

Price valuation and inflation
Just like when choosing to buy a car or other major purchase, it is always best to do your homework. Check online or with your local piano dealer about the valuation of a used piano for sale in today’s market, accounting for its age, brand, and type of piano. There are resources online which help with appraising a piano, such as Etsey Piano or Key-Notes. Finding the right valuation of a used piano doesn’t have to be tricky with free tools, so you don’t have to worry about being ripped off!

Discontinued or older brand pianos
During my search for used piano for sale, I discovered that they’re quite a few brands and types out there which have been discontinued or the piano maker went out of business. What does this mean for you, though? Depending on the maker and type, that means the value of the piano can be raised and even earn you a valuable piece of history! However, this is another thing where you have to do your homework and do the research on the piano (or, let a piano dealer help you).

This can be tricky, though. Sometimes, the piano could be worthless and the merchant might sell it off as more valuable than it is. Like I have said before, do your research! It is always important to make sure you’re getting the most out of your piano purchase.

Valuation between different types of pianos
Are there price differences between used piano types? Yup, there is! A used concert grand piano will be much more expensive than a used baby grand, but, used upright pianos will normally raise in value over time because their sound will become richer over the years. This is especially important because everyone has their own preference of piano, the most popular used pianos being grand and baby pianos. Personally, I believe the best value will be a baby grand or upright.

Buying a used piano is much like purchasing a used car–you have to do your research and make sure you’re not stuck with a lemon! Of course, having a piano dealer help you throughout the entire process will be much easier and they will always make sure you find the best deal.

What do you think is the better deal long term: a used piano for sale or brand new piano for sale?  

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for baby grand pianos. No, they may not be able to manage a sound that’s quite as grand as that of a true concert grand piano, but they are still magnificent instruments. Also, I find the slightly smaller sound to be charming and better-suited to in-home play, which is where most pianos are.

Baby grand pianos are among the most popular pianos in the world for a reason. They’ve got their own benefits, and are a great choice for homeowners who are unsure if they want to invest in a larger model.

Here are just a few of the reasons I enjoy baby grand pianos so much!

Why "Adopt" A Baby Grand Piano Of Your Very Own

The primary difference between a baby grand piano and other pianos is the size. Most baby grands are only around 5 feet across, versus 6-7 feet for a parlor grand and 8-10 for a full-size concert grand. The shorter case means the strings are shorter, which does limit the range of sound slightly.

That said, a good baby grand will still sound better than all but the best uprights. Further, thanks to newer piano-crafting techniques like overstringing, which stretches the bass strings diagonally across the case to increase their length, many of their deficiencies can be corrected for.

Also, consider:

• Baby grands are generally the least-expensive of all the horizontal piano types. Even if you can’t afford a larger piano, a baby grand can be an excellent, affordable purchase.

• Despite the smaller size, baby grand pianos are still made using the exact same techniques as their larger kin. You get quality wood frames, brass fixtures, real hammered strings, and all the other features you’d expect from a grand piano.

• Just because the sound isn’t Steinway quality doesn’t mean the sound is bad. These pianos have a slightly smaller, fuzzier, and more intimate sound that works perfectly in smaller spaces. These are the sorts of pianos you play to have a good time and enjoy yourself, rather than trying to dazzle audiences in a hall.

• If you’re short on space, a baby grand can be the perfect solution to your space management needs. Since they take up half the space of a concert grand, they can be put into "active" rooms without needing a room of their own. Just imagine how a piano would look in your living room!

• Baby grands are great for special occasions, such as weddings and graduations. They’re smaller, lighter, and easier to transport from place to place. (We also provide piano-shipping services, if you need them!)

• A well-made baby grand piano will last just as long in your home as any other grand piano, provided you take care of it. Unlike electronics and cheap vertical pianos, a baby grand is something that can be passed down through your family for generations.

Just remember, when you’re looking to buy a baby grand, there is still a large range of quality. Some of the least-expensive models are, unfortunately, mass-manufactured from questionable materials and may not last well. Others, however, can rival the biggest grands for their quality and longevity.

Do your research, and make sure to try out plenty of models before you settle on the one you’re buying. Good luck!

Which do you prefer, baby grands or larger models?  

I love pianos. I grew up with pianos and, along with Cooper Music, I honestly want to share that love with as many fellow piano enthusiasts as possible. There’s very little in life that can compare with what a piano can bring into your life: music, beauty, and a legacy that will last for decades.

Unfortunately, especially in the last few years as the economy took a downturn, there are a lot of deceptive piano prices and advertisements out there. Dealers are getting pinched, and they’re looking to find ways to move inventory, any way they can.

If you want to own a piano, you have to be a smart buyer. It’s easy to get ripped off for hundreds or thousands of dollars if you aren’t careful when you look at piano prices. So, we’ve put together a guide to some things to watch out for when you’re shopping for a piano.

How Retail Piano Prices Work

First, just a note on how piano pricing generally works. Much like with cars, the majority of piano sales are first made to dealers, who then resell them to you. The dealer buys straight from the manufacturer, then gives the piano a standard markup, which is generally around 30-40%. This might sound high, but remember: piano stores still have to cover employees and overhead, as well as constantly maintaining, tuning, and repairing their stock as needed. It’s not a cheap area of retail.

Never the less, also much like with cars, this gives you, the buyer, quite a bit of room to haggle. You can usually get at least 10% knocked off the price with some negotiating, and sometimes quite a bit more. You shouldn’t ever pay sticker price on a piano without at least attempting to get a better deal.

Used Piano Prices

The real problems when buying a piano come when you start looking at the used market. There are all kinds of sources: eBay, Craigslist, local ads, estate sales, and more. There are a lot of pianos for sale, and some of them could be a great buy.

However, if you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: Never shop for a used piano without having an expert with you. And never, ever, buy a piano sight unseen.

Again, just like with cars, a layman really has very little way of knowing how many “miles” the piano has on it, or just how well things have been maintained under the hood. You could probably spot obvious problems, such as cracks in the case or broken pins, but there is still a lot that would go unnoticed by anyone but a professional technician.

Even if you have to pay a little bit out of pocket to get someone to go along with you, it’s a small price to pay compared to the risk you’re running of taking home a clunker that will need serious restoration you didn’t know about at the time.

A Note On University Piano Prices

Finally, a word of warning: be careful when going to school or university music sales. While these often are completely legitimate, there has been an unfortunate rash of incidents where these sales only included a handful of used instruments and were, in fact, really about attempting to clearance new stock from local suppliers. These often include high-pressure sales tactics and misleading advertisements. Also the prices can be higher than in a store. There is also a considerable expence hauling a bunch of pianos to the college and taking them back to the store and the raises the price.

In short, caveat emptor is the rule of the day when you’re looking at piano prices. Your best defense is to be a good buyer:  Be smart, know what piano prices are fair, and use common sense in your dealings.  If it seems like a deal that’s too good to be true, it almost certainly is.  Good luck!

Have you ever been on the wrong end of a shady piano deal? Share your experiences!  

There have been so many special events in my life where, looking back, I can see that a piano was one of the main things that made them special. This goes for weddings, funerals, parties, graduations, and more – the ones I remember the best all had a piano involved.

And it’s no wonder. The piano has become the world’s most popular musical instrument for a reason. There’s just no comparison when it comes to finding a single instrument that can fill an entire hall with music, engaging and enlivening everyone there. Whether it’s in a home or at a special event, a piano makes life better.

Unfortunately, a good piano is still a pretty pricey proposition. Even a decent inexpensive model costs a few thousand dollars, and truly great pianos can run into six-figure territory. Not everyone has that kind of cash on hand. Luckily, there’s another option for piano-lovers: to rent pianos as needed, either for one off-events, or for extended periods.

The Benefits If You Rent Pianos, Rather Than Buying

While nothing can entirely replace the feeling of truly owning your own piano, if you choose a piano rental, you’re getting the next best thing. You can have a piano in your home, to be enjoyed whenever you like, while still only paying a small fee per month, as low as only $25. At those rates, virtually anyone with a house or apartment could afford a piano.

When you rent a piano, one bonus is that you don’t have to worry about what happens if you have to move, or you no longer have the space to devote. You don’t have to think about having to sell or discard your instrument. If you no longer want it, you just give us a call and we’ll take it back, with no fuss or hassle.

This avoids any commitments you might not be able to keep in the future. If, for example, you have a young piano student, this is a great way to give them a piano without worrying that in a year they’ll decide they like the clarinet instead. It’s also a great way to try out multiple pianos while you try to find the perfect one.

Rent Pianos to Own

On the other hand, if you want to own a piano, renting a piano to own is also an option! Nearly any piano in our store can be purchased this way, as an option. As long as you keep making monthly payments, the piano is yours to do with as you please. Pay it off in full, and you own it! On the other hand, if you decide you don’t like it or cannot continue paying, you can send it back any time after the first six months.

This gives you, as a buyer, tremendous flexibility. You can try out piano ownership and see if it suits you. If it doesn’t work out, all you lose are the monthly rental fees. If it does work, the piano can be yours.

Special Occasions

Don’t forget about piano rentals for special occasions and one-time shows. We can deliver it to any location and pick it up afterwards. We can even provide a tuner or other performance needs such as a pianist should your event call for it.

There’s simply no reason your wedding, bar mitzvah, funeral, concert, or other event needs to lack a piano. The rates are affordable, and we make sure it arrives in plenty of time before the show.

A Piano For Every Season

We love pianos, and we love helping people get pianos. Whether it’s only for one day, or potentially for the rest of your life, we want to make sure you have the piano you need. Choosing to rent pianos is just one way to make that happen.

What’s your favorite memory of a piano at a special event?  

With the advent of high-quality electronic instruments, an interesting question has arisen for potential piano-buyers: whether to get an acoustic piano, or a digital piano. While purists often look doubtfully upon digital pianos, in reality, these are two substantially different products with different features and abilities.

Which you want depends more on what you want out of a new musical instrument, rather than any direct comparisons. So, here’s a quick guide to the differences between an acoustic and a digital piano, and why you might buy each.

Acoustic Vs Digital Piano Guide for Buyers

Acoustic Pianos:

These are the pianos we’ve all grown up knowing and loving. Based on designs created by Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700, traditional pianos are entirely acoustic instruments. That is, sound is created by a hammer hitting a taut string, and the sound reverberates through the case and off the soundboard to create music. Unlike with a digital piano, the sound is created “live” every time.

Traditional pianos are performance instruments. Fundamentally, a piano’s purpose is to be played live for the entertainment of other people. They’ve been a standard part of an enlightened household for hundreds of years, and will likely remain popular for hundreds more.

As such, someone looking for an acoustic piano could be:

• A classical music performer seeking a sturdy and reliable instrument

• A composer accustomed to composing at the piano before writing it down

• A homeowner looking to accent their home with a beautiful piece of art

• Someone looking to create a legacy with an instrument that, with care, will last for decades among several generations

• A student looking to learn on a real instrument, especially if they aspire to a career in music

Digital Pianos

Digital pianos utilize synthesizer technology to play back recordings of piano tones, adjusted to fit the note that was pressed. Since the sound is not live, there will always be a certain amount of “canned” sound to a digital piano, no matter how many effects they use to try to simulate a real piano sound. While many digital models are quite good, they cannot replace a real grand in a concert hall.

On the other hand, they do offer many features not seen on traditional pianos. MIDI interfaces and song-streaming services allow them to interface with computers directly. They are generally much lighter and easier to move than acoustic pianos, and are popular among jazz and rock acts. Also, being able to simulate multiple piano-style sounds – usually including a range of piano and organ tones – gives them significant versatility in playing.

A buyer for a digital piano could be:

• A performer in a rock, jazz, or other smaller jam combo

• Performers who have a need for multiple piano sounds in the same concert

• A composer dealing with modern recording and MIDI programming systems

• A student seeking a light and affordable instrument to learn on

• People without the time to invest in maintaining a piano, since digital models require far less care

• Someone who wants an instrument for today, not necessarily for a decade from now.

Acoustic-Digital Hybrids

Recently, new pianos have started popping up that straddle the line. These might be traditional acoustic pianos outfitted with modern digital player piano controllers, or fundamentally digital instruments that utilize real soundboards and other acoustic features to soften the sound. These are fundamentally for specialists, and while they’re interesting, many of them lack a compelling advantage over either existing specialized type.

Plus, as technology advances, a state-of-the-art hybrid will probably be completely outdated within a few years. These are a risky purchase at this time, unless one has features you are specifically looking for.

All in all, whether you go for a digital or an acoustic piano, it mostly depends on what you want out of a musical instrument.

How do you all feel about digital vs acoustic pianos? Do you have a strong preference?  

When most people are looking to buy a piano, they probably don’t immediately think of digital pianos.

While it’s true that a digital piano can never truly replicate the range and expression of an actual concert grand, they can in fact come pretty close. These instruments are generally smaller, lighter, and more portable than a real piano, and can be excellent for musicians on the road. They also require far less maintenance, and can easily interface with modern computers and MIDI equipment.

The Yamaha digital piano is probably the most popular and most common in the world. As a leader in both musical instruments and electronics, Yamaha has been positioned for decades to define the state-of-the-art in digital music, which they have through their extensive digital piano line.

Let’s take a look. But first…

What’s The Difference Between a Yamaha Digital Piano and a Synthesizer?

There is a significant difference between a digital piano and a “synthesizer,” although they are certainly close cousins. Unlike synthesizers, which are jacks-of-all-trades that attempt to recreate dozens or hundreds of different instruments and sound effects, digital pianos are restricted to nothing but piano and organ sounds. By focusing in this way, they can create much more accurate piano effects than their less-specialized cousins.

Also, a Yamaha digital piano has a number of features that make it more piano-like. The keys are generally weighted to give a more accurate feeling. Yamaha also has a number of innovations such as the “graded hammer” technology in their Clavinova line which recreates the hammer action of a traditional piano keyboard, having a hammer trigger the sound rather than your own keypress. They also sell stands as well as pedal peripherals.

The Yamaha Digital Piano Lineup

Compact Standalone Models

At the bottom of Yamaha’s digital piano lineup, at least price-wise, are their P-Series and Portable Grand models. These are designed similarly to traditional synthesizers, as an all-in-one keyboard which stands alone from any other equipment.

These lack many of the features of the larger models, such as the hammer action, but make up for it with their portability, versatility, and relatively low price point. Many of these also include built-in speakers, removing the need for any additional equipment.

The MODUS Series

With the MODUS line of Yamaha digital pianos, Yamaha has created a digital piano which has both beauty and great sound. These have Yamaha sound and build quality at their heart and can be wonderful instruments to play on, including real wood keys on many models.

However, they are meant at least as much as display pieces. Most of the MODUS series comes with a subscription to Yamaha’s own streaming MODUS radio, which allows these pianos to connect to the internet and stream pieces which are then played live, complete with player piano-style automatic key movements.

The ARIUS Series

For experienced players who want a great piano experience, there is the ARIUS line. These upright-style digital pianos come in their own cases, complete with pedals, creating a look which is both classic and modern.

With full 88-key keyboards, and a hammer action, ARIUS digital pianos feel remarkably like a real piano. And thanks to Yamaha’s Dynamic Sampling System, the sound quality is quite life-like. These can be an excellent substitute for a real upright.

The Clavinova Line

Yamaha’s top-of-the-line Clavinova digital pianos aim to recreate the concert grand experience as accurately as possible. Their Clavinova grands come in full-size grand piano cases, and in many cases attempt to utilize actual soundboards to help enhance the piano sound.

Plus, the keyboard and pedals are exactly the same as those found on actual grands, giving it a far more realistic feel than virtually any digital keyboard on the market. Their RGE Sound Engine also allows for far better expression and sound quality than any competitor.

What types of Yamaha digital piano have you tried, and what did you think?