Upright Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide

This is one of the more significant purchases a household makes — certainly more involved than picking up a pair of headphones or a music stand. It's a decision that involves budget, space, sound quality and the long-term needs of whoever will be playing it. This guide takes you through every aspect of the buying process, clearly and without haste, so you arrive at a choice you'll be happy with for years to come.

Set Your Budget Realistically

Price varies enormously in the market, from a few hundred pounds for an old secondhand instrument to tens of thousands for a premium new model. A broad way to think about it:

• Entry-level new: Instruments at the lower end of the new market offer a functional, reliable action and acceptable tone for beginners and younger learners. Build quality and tonal refinement improve noticeably as you move up.
• Mid-range new: This is where the majority of serious home buyers settle — better action response, richer tone, more durable construction, and greater resale value.
• Premium: Instruments from established European and Japanese makers in this bracket offer concert-grade craftsmanship. They are long-term family heirlooms as much as musical instruments.
• Used: The secondhand market can offer excellent value, but requires more careful assessment. A well-maintained instrument from a reputable maker, properly inspected, can be a wonderful buy.

Whatever your budget, factor in ongoing costs: professional tuning at least twice a year, and occasional regulation and voicing by a piano technician.

New or Used?

A new instrument comes with a warranty, known provenance, and strings and action components that are fresh and well-regulated. You know exactly what you're getting. The trade-off is cost — new instruments are considerably more expensive than used ones of equivalent quality.

A used instrument can represent outstanding value, but only if you buy carefully. Never purchase a secondhand instrument sight unseen or without a proper inspection. Key things to assess:

• Soundboard: Look through the back or inside the lid for cracks. A cracked soundboard significantly affects tone and is expensive to repair.
• Pin block: The wooden component that holds the tuning pins. If it is cracked or worn, the piano cannot hold its tuning and will require an expensive rebuild.
• Strings: Look for rust or broken strings. Replacing a full set of strings is costly.
• Action: Play every key and listen for dead, buzzing or uneven notes. Keys that don't return properly after being pressed indicate regulation problems.
• Age: Most instruments of this type have a productive life of around 40–70 years with proper care. Beyond this, even a low purchase price may not justify the restoration costs.

Having a piano technician inspect a used instrument before purchase is money very well spent.

Which Size Is Right for You?

These instruments come in four main height categories — spinet, console, studio and full upright. Height matters because longer strings and a larger soundboard produce richer, more resonant tone.

For most home buyers, a console (around 40–43 inches) or studio (45–48 inches) model strikes the right balance between footprint, tone and price. A full-size model — sometimes called a professional upright — offers the best tone of the vertical family but stands 48 inches or taller. It suits a dedicated music room or a more advanced player. Spinets (under 40 inches) have largely fallen out of production and are generally not recommended; their drop action mechanism is less reliable and harder to service.

New vs. Acoustic vs. Digital: A Practical Choice

Before committing to an acoustic instrument, it is worth honestly considering whether a digital instrument might better suit your situation. Digital pianos are lighter, silent (with headphones), never need tuning, and start at considerably lower prices. A quality digital piano can be an entirely appropriate tool for a beginner or for anyone in a flat where sound levels are a concern.

That said, an acoustic upright piano offers something a digital cannot: genuine string resonance, a real mechanical action, and the full sensory experience of playing a proper instrument. If budget and space allow, the acoustic option gives a player far more to grow into. Hybrid instruments — acoustic uprights with a fitted silent system that allows headphone practice — offer a middle ground and are worth considering if quiet practice is a regular requirement.

Established Makers Worth Knowing

This market is served by a range of manufacturers with different reputations and price points. Some of the most consistently respected names include Yamaha and Kawai from Japan, both known for excellent build consistency and reliable actions at a wide range of price points. European makers such as Petrof (Czech Republic), Steinway & Sons, and Bösendorfer occupy the premium end of the market, with instruments that are crafted with exceptional care and expected to last for generations. Buying from a reputable dealer who can service the instrument after sale is always preferable to buying privately.

Placement and Practical Considerations

Before the piano arrives, think carefully about where it will live:

• Place it against an interior wall, away from external walls (which suffer temperature swings) and away from radiators, fireplaces and direct sunlight.
• Ensure the floor can bear the weight — a full-size instrument can weigh 200–300 kg, more with a wooden stool and music stand.
• Consider the piano's proximity to other rooms. Acoustic pianos carry well through walls and ceilings; neighbours and housemates will notice practice sessions.
• Allow enough clearance at the back for the piano to stand away from the wall slightly, which improves sound projection.

The Bottom Line

An upright piano is a long-term commitment — and a rewarding one. Take the time to try instruments in person at a reputable dealer, have any used instrument inspected professionally, and consider the ongoing costs of tuning and maintenance. For a wider look at what's available at different price points, see our guide to the best upright pianos for the money. If you're just starting out, the beginner's guide offers a gentler introduction to the same decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions