Acoustic Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying an acoustic piano is one of the larger household decisions you can make — it takes up space, stays for decades, and the wrong choice is expensive to undo. This guide takes you through every stage: what type to look for, what to spend, what to check before buying, and what to avoid. Take it steadily and you will find the right instrument.

Grand or Upright: Which Type Do You Actually Need?

For most homes, an upright is the sensible starting point. It uses significantly less floor space than a grand, costs less to buy and tune, and can perform at a very high level. A well-built professional upright — 120 cm tall or more — offers a satisfying touch and a rich sound that serves students, teachers and enthusiastic adult players equally well.

A baby grand or mid-size grand makes sense when you have the room, the budget and a genuine performance ambition. The action in a grand uses gravity to return components to rest, which allows faster repetition and a slightly different touch character. If you are aiming at serious classical or jazz performance, a grand will eventually reward you. For most household buyers, a quality upright is the better investment.

New or Second-Hand?

Second-hand pianos represent excellent value, but only when the instrument has been properly assessed. An acoustic piano that was well maintained in a stable environment can perform beautifully for decades. One that has suffered damp, neglect or pest damage can be expensive — or impossible — to restore.

Always have a second-hand piano inspected by an independent piano technician before buying. They will check the tuning-pin stability (a loose pinblock means the piano cannot hold a tune), the soundboard for cracks, the strings for corrosion, the hammer felts, the action regulation and the overall structural condition. This inspection typically costs £50–£100 and is money well spent. Do not accept the seller's assurance that the piano "just needs a tune".

For new pianos, reputable dealerships offer manufacturer warranties and set-up checks. The disadvantage is price: a new entry-level upright costs significantly more than a solid second-hand professional instrument of equivalent quality.

Size and Budget Guide

Budget shapes what is available, but the relationship is not always linear. Here is a broad framework:

• £200–£600: Free or low-cost second-hand instruments, often spinets or older consoles. These can be a starting point for a very young beginner, but quality varies enormously. Require careful evaluation.
• £600–£2,000: Better used uprights, including Japanese instruments from Yamaha, Kawai and Samick. Many of these are solid performing instruments. Budget for a professional check and possible tuning or regulation work.
• £2,000–£6,000: New entry-to-mid-range uprights, or quality second-hand professional uprights from reputable European and Japanese makers. This range often represents the best overall value.
• £6,000–£15,000+: New professional uprights from Steinway, Bösendorfer, Yamaha's U or SX series, Kawai's K series, and premium European makers. Baby and mid-size grands begin here.

Prices vary by region, retailer and specific condition. Treat these as orientation ranges, not market prices, and verify against current dealer listings.

What to Check in Person

When you visit an instrument, take your time. Play every key across the full 88-note range and listen for notes that are weak, buzzing or clearly out of tune with neighbours. Notice whether the touch feels consistent — uneven keys often indicate worn action parts. Check that all three pedals function. Open the lid and look for broken or missing parts.

Even if the piano looks and plays well, a professional inspection remains essential for any second-hand purchase. You are listening as a musician; the technician is evaluating mechanical life expectancy.

Placement and Environment

Where you put the piano matters as much as the instrument itself. Keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators, exterior walls and vents. Humidity changes cause the soundboard to move, shifting the tuning and stressing the structure over time. A room with moderate, stable humidity — a hygrometer is useful — protects the piano and reduces tuning drift. Some owners install humidity-control systems inside the case for environments where this cannot be managed otherwise.

Allow the instrument to settle for several weeks after any move before tuning it; string tension changes as the piano adjusts to its new environment.

Running Costs

Budget for tuning at least twice a year (typically £70–£110 per visit in the UK). Voicing and regulation are separate services that a good technician should assess every few years. An acoustic piano that has been professionally maintained costs less to restore than one that has been neglected — consistent small expenditure protects the instrument's value and playability.

If the piano is for a developing player, consider access to a good teacher before finalising the instrument. A teacher can assess whether a particular piano's touch and tone suits where the student is heading.

Making the Final Decision

Before committing, play the piano — or have your teacher or a trusted musician play it — in the space where it will live. Acoustics change dramatically between a showroom and a living room. What sounds bright in a dealer's gallery may sound harsh in a small room with hard floors. Ask about the dealership's after-purchase support, warranty terms and tuning or regulation service.

For a full explanation of how the instrument works and what distinguishes the key designs, the acoustic piano overview covers the mechanics and history. If you're a first-time player, the beginner's guide walks through how to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions