Ah yes, you’ve decided you’re ready to buy a piano, but where do you get a good one? Before you rush over to your search engine and type “Piano For Sale” there are a few things you need to do. First of all, you need to establish what good means to you. If you’re still working on “Book 1” so to speak, a Yamaha CFX may be more than you need. If you’ve noticed that you’re outgrowing your piano teacher’s piano, then it may be time for an intermediate model.
Is Steinway the nicest piano for sale?
While Steinway is indeed one of the nicest and most recognized mass produced pianos in the world, it is certainly not THE nicest and there are lots and lots of choices at the higher end. Here are other brands you should know about organized by country of manufacture:
Germany
- Sauter
- Bechstein
- Blüthner
Japan
- Yamaha
- Kawai
USA
- Steinway
- Mason & Hamlin
While this is not an exhaustive list, it should help broaden your search when looking for a piano to buy.
Is Yamaha the safest bet?
I absolutely love Yamaha pianos, and not just because it was the piano I learned on at my grandma’s house, or because a model P22 was the first piano I ever “tuned”. Yamaha simply has great quality control and has been consistent for decades. But there are other brands worth considering too. Feurich, Grotrian, Kawai, and Boston are all good pianos to choose from.
What about a used piano for sale?
Used pianos sometimes offer the best overall value. Like a gently used car, someone else paid the full price and now you can own it for a fraction of that. Though they are beginning to age, used USA Baldwin pianos are still a solid choice. Be sure to ask what work has been done to them, as their USA manufacturing almost completely ceased in 2001. (Save for a few high end grands that were built until 2008). If you buy a used piano from a dealer, be sure to ask what kind of warranty they will provide.
Do you help people choose a piano?
The short answer is yes. If you’d like assistance when you’re ready to choose a piano, don’t hesitate to email caleb@chicagopianotuners.com or text 312-785-9393 anytime. I’m happy to give suggestions or even meet you at a store or private sale. We’ve helped many clients find the piano of their dreams, and we’d love to help you too!
Check out Piano Forte for a trustworthy Chicago piano buying experience. To learn more about the history of Baldwin pianos click here. If you haven’t seen our homepage yet, you can check that out here.
