5 points to check before buying a used piano

What exactly is a used piano?

A well-built piano will continue to produce beautiful tones over time. There are many pianos that are left unused in a storage shed that can be retuned and turned into wonderful instruments. I think purchasing such an unused piano at a cheap price and using it a wonderful thing both musically and economically

However, the piano is a very complex and delicate instrument, and not all pianos sold at used music stores are good ones. There are several points to keep in mind when choosing a used piano to purchase. This time, we will introduce some points to keep in mind when purchasing a used piano.

①What is it used for?

Let's organize the purpose of using the piano.

Is it something to be given as a gift to children and grandchildren so that they can learn as part of their education? Are you aiming to become a professional and choose a higher quality piano? Is it something you buy as a hobby tool? durability '' and `` quality '' will vary depending on the application

Once you know the intended use, you should be able to clearly determine how many years you intend to continue playing the used piano, and how many years you will be satisfied with the same quality.

In terms of quality, depending on the intended use, it should be ``beginner grade'', ``professional grade'', or ``middle grade'' in between. Even if someone who is just starting to play the piano buys a ``professional grade'' quality piano, they probably won't be able to tell the difference, and if they end up playing a poor quality piano at a concert, they won't be able to get a good tone. Sho. On the other hand, if you have some experience and are aiming to become a professional, there is no need to buy a ``beginner level'' quality product.

Be clear about the intended use and have firm standards for "durability" and "quality."

You don't need to be an expert, but if you're a reputable music instrument store, you should be able to accommodate your requests.

②How much are the costs other than the main unit?

By purchasing a used piano, you can save a lot more money than buying a new piano. However, as mentioned above, the piano is a complex and delicate instrument. It is far more expensive than other used instruments such as ukuleles and triangles. If you want to buy a used piano of good quality, you'll need at least 200,000 yen for the price.

But that's not all you need when buying a used piano.

Pianos are very heavy, and even upright pianos are very large. In addition to the price, shipping costs can be in the tens of thousands of yen, and transportation up the stairs may also cost around 10,000 yen. Since the items are so delicate that they can't be compared to regular parcels, if you ask a cheap company to do it for you, you may end up ``wasting your money on a cheap item'' and end up with higher repair costs.

Furthermore, since it is transported by truck, even if you buy it at a reputable instrument store and have it transported by a reliable shipping company, it will still need to be tuned in order to play with the proper tone. This also depends on the item, but it would be best to look at a few tens of thousands of yen.

As you can see, the piano costs more than other musical instruments. finding out how much it will cost in advance, you can set a firm budget and reduce risks.

③Where do you play the piano?

Next is the environment.

Pianos are large, so which room you want to bring the piano into and make sure you have enough space for it. At this time, don't forget to include a chair. Similarly, be sure to check whether leaving a heavy piano there for a long time will not affect the building. Depending on the situation, you may want to place cushions on the casters or legs.

The sound problem is also serious. You can change the volume of an electronic piano, but you cannot freely adjust the volume of an upright piano or grand piano. Make sure there are no soundproofing problems so that you don't disturb your neighbors.

④Which brand should you choose?

Not all piano tones are the same. Personally, I feel that the difference in tone between different brands of pianos is greater than the difference in tone between different pianos

In order to choose the right piano for you, research the tone and other characteristics of each brand in advance. If you are purchasing a piano from an unknown brand, we recommend that you avoid buying it online and try it out with your own eyes before purchasing.

If you don't have any particular preferences, I think there will be no problem if you buy Yamaha or Kawai.

⑤Are there any problems with the product condition?

Once you have narrowed down the piano you want to buy, check to see if there are any problems with the piano.

• The first thing to check what year the piano was made . Naturally, the older the piano, the higher the repair and maintenance costs will be. If it's a reputable brand, it should have a serial number assigned to it, so you should be able to figure it out from there.
• The next thing to check termites . Make sure there are no cracks in the boards or columns. Even if they don't immediately break and become unusable, cracks can have a big impact on the sound.
• Next is the keyboard. Take a close look at the entire keyboard and make sure that are lined up evenly Try pressing all the keys at the same time to check for any wobbling or jamming.
• Open the roof of the piano and check whether there is any problem with each hammer The hammer may be missing or cracked. Since this is the part that directly hits the strings, it naturally has a large effect on the sound.
• Finally, there are the pedals. First, that you can press the pedals without any problems , and make sure that the pedals work the same way on all keys.

It takes a lot of time to confirm, but it is also true that the risk is that much bigger. If you don't know where it is, ask the store staff for help. Don't be bothered and check each item one by one and choose a good piano.

Also, it would be nice if you could see the actual item, but when purchasing online etc., it would be fine if you could ask for a photo and see it with your own eyes as much as possible.

Finally

As I mentioned at the beginning, I think purchasing a used piano is a wonderful thing both musically and economically. However, some knowledge is required before purchasing. Musical instrument stores are also in business, so they may sometimes sell pianos that are not in good condition at high prices. You will be making an expensive and valuable purchase, so don't forget to prepare accordingly.