Grand Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a grand piano is one of the most significant purchases a musician — or a music-loving household — is likely to make. These are instruments that, properly chosen and maintained, will outlast their owners and pass through generations. That permanence makes the decision worth approaching carefully. This guide gives you the practical framework to do so.

Clarify What You Actually Need

Before looking at anything else, get clear on three things: the room it will live in, the level of player who will use it most, and the budget — including ongoing maintenance costs, not just the purchase price.

Room size is often the most constraining factor. A baby grand requires a room of at least four metres by four and a half metres to fit physically and allow the sound to develop properly. Larger instruments need more space still — not just for the footprint but for the acoustic. An oversized piano in a small room produces a harsh, unbalanced sound that no amount of good playing can rescue.

New or Second-Hand?

For a well-known manufacturer like Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai or Bösendorfer, a second-hand grand piano is often excellent value. These instruments are built to last and, with proper maintenance, a 20–30 year old example can be in superb condition. Get any used piano professionally inspected — a qualified piano technician can assess the soundboard, the pin block, the action and the strings for signs of wear or damage.

New pianos come with warranties and are in factory condition. They also require more frequent tuning in the first year as strings settle. From established manufacturers, new instruments at the same price point as well-maintained used examples will generally have more even wear — though this advantage narrows significantly with quality second-hand instruments from reputable sellers.

Size: Getting It Right

The size of a grand piano directly affects the quality and character of its sound, particularly in the bass register. Here is a practical guide:

• Baby grand (under 5’6” / 168 cm): a domestic compromise. The shorter strings limit bass depth and dynamic range, but a well-made baby grand is still a genuinely musical instrument. Suitable for players up to an advanced amateur level.
• Parlour or medium grand (5’6”–6’6”): the sweet spot for serious home and teaching use. Long enough to produce proper tone, small enough to fit in a large living room or studio. Instruments in this range from Yamaha (C2X, C3X), Kawai (GL-30, GL-50) and Steinway (Model M, O) represent many players’ ideal choice.
• Professional and concert grand (over 6’6”): instruments for professional performers and institutions. The Steinway Model B (211 cm) is the most widely used professional grand in the UK; the Model D (274 cm) is the concert instrument of choice at the majority of the world’s major venues.

What to Listen For When Trying an Instrument

Whenever possible, play the actual instrument you are considering purchasing. If your own technique is limited, bring a more advanced player with you. Listen for:

• Evenness across the register — no single key that sounds notably louder, brighter or duller than its neighbours.
• Bass depth and definition — the lowest notes should sound full and clear, not muddy or indistinct.
• Treble clarity and singing quality — high notes on a quality instrument sustain with a clear, ringing tone rather than a thin or brittle one.
• Action feel — the key action should feel consistent and responsive. A heavy or uneven action can indicate wear in the mechanism or improper regulation.

Ongoing Costs: The Full Picture

A grand piano requires investment beyond the purchase price. Budget for:

• Tuning: twice yearly from a registered piano tuner, typically £70–£120 per visit in the UK.
• Regulation: the mechanical action needs periodic adjustment as parts wear and felt compresses. Every few years for a regularly played instrument.
• Voicing: the hammer felt hardness changes over time and affects tone. A technician can needle the hammers to restore brightness, or voice them softer.
• Humidity control: pianos are sensitive to humidity fluctuations. A humidity control system fitted inside the instrument significantly extends its life and reduces tuning instability.

Explore Further

For a thorough understanding of how these instruments actually work, our grand piano explainer covers the mechanism, types and manufacturers in depth. Looking for specific models at different price points? Our guide to the best instruments for the money breaks it down clearly. And if you are new to the piano entirely, start with our beginner’s guide.

The Bottom Line

A well-chosen grand piano is a source of musical pleasure and an enduring piece of furniture that will grace a room for decades. Take time with the decision: get the size right for the space, try the specific instrument rather than just the model, factor in the full cost of ownership, and where possible get a professional assessment of any used instrument. Do those things and you are unlikely to regret it.

Frequently Asked Questions