What to look for when buying a second-hand Piano
Upright Pianos
The most common of the many different types of piano are:
Straightstrung or Overstrung
In a straightstrung piano, the strings run parallel to one another throughout. An overstrung piano has the bass strings running diagonally across the piano, crossing over the treble strings - hence overstrung.
Overdamper or Underdamper
In an overdamper action, the hammers (the action parts which strike the strings) are obscured from view (when looking into the top) by a wooden rail holding the dampers (the action parts which press on to the strings to stop them from sounding). An underdamper action has the dampers located beneath the hammers and they are usually much more effective than overdampers.
If a straight strung overdamper piano is in good condition, it can be satisfactory, and occasionally one finds examples produced by some of the best piano manufacturers. However, without expert knowledge it is usually best to avoid them, as by far the majority are old, worn out, and unsatisfactory - particularly for a beginner
Grand Pianos
A horizontal piano, standing on three or six legs, is called a grand, which also could be straightstrung or overstrung. Again, the overstrung construction is preferred.
The action of a grand is located behind the keys, and can partially be seen through the strings, beneath the music desk. Without removing the action it is difficult to identify which of the several different types of action is present. Unqualified persons should never attempt to remove a grand action; there is considerable danger of causing damage.
When going to view whichever type of piano, even if you have no keyboard skills yet, then at least play every note twice, quickly, from the bottom bass A to the top note to ensure that they all work. Playing twice will pick up if any notes (or the whole piano) has suffered from damp in the past. A note which is tight through damp storage usually won't repeat a second time as the hammer won't drop back to play again very quickly as it should do.
Don't buy from a charity shop!
Charity shops, for all that they may be funding water wells in the Indian sub-continent with your money, are not the best places to find a piano. Yes, they will have pianos but consider that the donor has given it away (for no money) as they have finished with it so considered it worthless. Then you come in and intend parting with money hoping to begin your trek to Carnegie Hall on that? A charity shop is not best placed either to know the condition of a piano or to place a (correct) market value on it. They see it as a commodity to sell and you as a means to funding the water well. If you want to be charitable, leave a donation and walk out without the piano. It is worth visiting two or three dealers (if you have the time and choice of dealers) to get an idea of what is in the market place. It also helps you to get an idea of the prices.
It's a good idea to make a list when looking at pianos, noting the following;
Similarly, small uprights have poor tone - some 'minipianos' were made for inclusion in a small house/bungalow or spare bedroom and are very challenged in tone output. AVOID the Eavestaff minipiano whose tuning pins are under the keyboard. No tuner will thank you for presenting him/her with one of these to tune. There are quite a few types of Minipiano made by this firm and most are reasonable if small but that earlier mentioned type is not good in any condition. The pins are usually loose and cannot be punched in to get a better grip since they go right through the wrest plank (the block which holds the tuning pin and therefore the tension of the strings). This is another good reason to take a tuner with you when viewing pianos.
Upright Pianos
The most common of the many different types of piano are:
Straightstrung or Overstrung
In a straightstrung piano, the strings run parallel to one another throughout. An overstrung piano has the bass strings running diagonally across the piano, crossing over the treble strings - hence overstrung.
Overdamper or Underdamper
In an overdamper action, the hammers (the action parts which strike the strings) are obscured from view (when looking into the top) by a wooden rail holding the dampers (the action parts which press on to the strings to stop them from sounding). An underdamper action has the dampers located beneath the hammers and they are usually much more effective than overdampers.
If a straight strung overdamper piano is in good condition, it can be satisfactory, and occasionally one finds examples produced by some of the best piano manufacturers. However, without expert knowledge it is usually best to avoid them, as by far the majority are old, worn out, and unsatisfactory - particularly for a beginner
Grand Pianos
A horizontal piano, standing on three or six legs, is called a grand, which also could be straightstrung or overstrung. Again, the overstrung construction is preferred.
The action of a grand is located behind the keys, and can partially be seen through the strings, beneath the music desk. Without removing the action it is difficult to identify which of the several different types of action is present. Unqualified persons should never attempt to remove a grand action; there is considerable danger of causing damage.
When going to view whichever type of piano, even if you have no keyboard skills yet, then at least play every note twice, quickly, from the bottom bass A to the top note to ensure that they all work. Playing twice will pick up if any notes (or the whole piano) has suffered from damp in the past. A note which is tight through damp storage usually won't repeat a second time as the hammer won't drop back to play again very quickly as it should do.
Don't buy from a charity shop!
Charity shops, for all that they may be funding water wells in the Indian sub-continent with your money, are not the best places to find a piano. Yes, they will have pianos but consider that the donor has given it away (for no money) as they have finished with it so considered it worthless. Then you come in and intend parting with money hoping to begin your trek to Carnegie Hall on that? A charity shop is not best placed either to know the condition of a piano or to place a (correct) market value on it. They see it as a commodity to sell and you as a means to funding the water well. If you want to be charitable, leave a donation and walk out without the piano. It is worth visiting two or three dealers (if you have the time and choice of dealers) to get an idea of what is in the market place. It also helps you to get an idea of the prices.
It's a good idea to make a list when looking at pianos, noting the following;
- Age
- Condition (case and internals if you get chance to look inside)
- Overstrung or straight-strung
- Overdamper or underdamper
- Make (in case you meet another similar one)
- Is it at pitch? (Your tuner should be able to tell you this - or take a tuning fork with you - A440 or C523 or E659 [guitar fork] and compare one of these notes with the fork)
- Will you like it in your house (case design and size considerations)
Similarly, small uprights have poor tone - some 'minipianos' were made for inclusion in a small house/bungalow or spare bedroom and are very challenged in tone output. AVOID the Eavestaff minipiano whose tuning pins are under the keyboard. No tuner will thank you for presenting him/her with one of these to tune. There are quite a few types of Minipiano made by this firm and most are reasonable if small but that earlier mentioned type is not good in any condition. The pins are usually loose and cannot be punched in to get a better grip since they go right through the wrest plank (the block which holds the tuning pin and therefore the tension of the strings). This is another good reason to take a tuner with you when viewing pianos.
