musical instruments - buying a used piano - brands to look for?

Question

I want to buy a used upright piano for $1000 or less in the next year (NOT a keyboard). What brands should I look for? Any brands to avoid?

Answer 1

Honestly, in that price range you will not find a decent used instrument. If you raise the bar a little to the $2000 to $2500 range, and you shop dilligently, you may find a good Baldwin, Yamaha or Young Chang console or small studio.

Avoid the Chinese brands like Pearl River (laminated soundboards -- yuck!), Connover Cable, some Wurlitzers, as they will prove to be unstable and of inferior tone and responsiveness. If you don't know where they are made, ask me, or ask a reputable dealer. Get the make and serial number. And find a good independant tuner/technician who can inspect the piano to see if what you're looking at is worth it.

Best of luck!!

Answer 2

If you can find a bechstein or steinway for less than $1000 then buy it immediately. They are pretty much the best pianos made, so if some fool is selling one that cheaply then buy it.

One idea is to try to import a second hand piano from Japan - apparently there is absolutely no market for second hand pianos there, so you can get one that's reasonably new for dirt cheap - you'd only have to pay shipping.

Rather than brands to look for you should look for the quality of the instrument - as most cheap pianos will not be a large brand name like Yamaha or Kemble. If a piano is second hand then it could have any number of things wrong with it - sticky keys, cracked soundboards, or otherwise in a bad condition. Take it apart and have a look inside to make sure nothing's broken - and of course play the instrument.

Answer 3

In the price range that you are aiming at there are probably no "name brands" of any consequence - unless you find someone who is willing to sell you a Steinway at way below market. Your best bet is too look carefully at each one and check for condition and sound.
As a general, try to find one with as long a string length as possible. They usually sound better. Check the operation of every key. On your budget you can't afford to have repairs which are as much or even more than the cost of the instrument. There are plenty of American made pianos out there. I would not get any preconceived notions and just judge each one at "face value." Condition and playability are more important than name.

Answer 4

The cello, like any other stringed instrument really, comes in different sizes. For her I would recommend a full sized cello or 7/8ths which is a bit smaller. Good places to go are either Sam Ash or another music store. It should be in a set with a bow, case, rock stop and rosin.