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Hi, I'm new to the forums


I realize this topic has probably been done to death but I need advice on buying my first acoustic piano. Here is my criteria:

-It's gonna have to be an upright piano, due to budget and space available.
-Used will have to be the way to go
-My budget tops out around $2,500-$2,750
-I'm not interested in a digital piano--I have a MIDI controller and piano vst if I really wanted to go that route.

I just need to know which brands/makes/models are good quality and which to avoid. Or any other tips that would be helpful.

Thanks

In my area (metro DC) I see uprights from makers like Yamaha, Kawai and Baldwin drop into that range. Others too, but I tend to watch for Baldwins (given my own curiosity) and Yamaha and Kawai are prominent names.

It's just a question of the balance of brand/model, age, and condition, although the seller's eagerness to have it sold factors in too. I'd suggest maxing your budget by watching private sales.

Even in that budget range, the world is your oyster. It just depends on what comes your way. Ultimately, whatever piano sounds and feels the way you like it to is what matters most, not brand or age (given it is in good, working condition, of course).

Kawai and Yamaha will likely be what you see most common. You might run into names you haven’t heard of before, but I guarantee people here will have information about it for you.

You might run into a Petrof. I let an incredible Mason & Hamlin 50 slip away from me at that price. Of course Chinese stencil brands will be below that price at hardly used, but there will be extreme opposite opinions about that category.

But, again, if it’s in working order and YOU like how it sounds and feels, then that’s what matters for you.

Brand new Hailun or Feurich (Both China made) give warranty of at least 10 years. Cheaper than Yamaha and Kawai but higher quality than their entry level model. Or used Yamaha Or Kawai, for used ones(between 1970 - 2000), I recommend Yamaha over Kawai. Well maintained used Yamaha upright is really good. Touch is light and smooth , tone is precise and clean.

Some further comments:

- a difficult decision will be if you want to buy from a dealer or private. Buying from a dealer will give you warranty and often a free tuning. Buying from a private seller will give you a lower price. I would recommend buying from a private seller only if you can have somebody to support you in correctly judging the condition of the piano

- when going to test ride a few pianos, bring sheet music or make sure you have some pieces memorized. It is important that you can play something where you don‘t need to focus on your playing. Also what you play should cover the low, middle, and high notes. Preferably at piano to forte loudness. You should always play the same things on all pianos for better comparison

- only buy a piano if it is in tune. if it is not, you cannot really judge what it would sound like if it were in tune.

- if you come from a digital it may take some time of playing to adjust your touch to an acoustic. That was at least the case for me, as I was coming from a digital with a fairly heavy or sluggish action. My current upright action is really light in comparison, and needs considerably less force